Behind the Beautiful Forevers

The global economic crisis in November 2009 takes its toll on the scavengers in Annawadi. Soon their recycled materials are worth only about a third of the previous value. Later in the month Mumbai is rocked by an attack by Pakistani Muslim terrorists, who take over two luxury hotels and wreak havoc on the city. The Husains are worried: What if Annawadi’s Hindus turn against them, one of the few Muslim families?

With the market down and no food to eat, Sunil begins working for a gang of thieves, stealing German silver from businesses near the airport. The big coup would be to break into the Taj Catering Services, where he is sure to find plenty of metal, but Sunil resists. Instead, he steals smaller things like aluminum strips and finally earns enough money to fill his belly and buy something shiny—a small silver earring.

The justice system in India is traditionally slow to act; five to 11 years might pass between an incident and the beginning of a trial. Karam and Kehkashan’s trial is to be adjudicated in the Fast-Track Sessions Court, under a system that hears bits and pieces of their case every few weeks, so the trial still drags on for months despite its name.

In the first hearings a medical officer and police officer both give false testimony. Most of the prosecution’s witnesses were not actually present in Annawadi when Fatima set herself on fire. Extortion attempts continue throughout the trial, with Paikrao asking Zehrunisa again for a payment that will stop other witnesses from testifying. Priya, one of Fatima’s friends, admits on the witness stand that she was not present when Fatima was burned. Another witness, Dinesh, protests that he has been called to testify erroneously, since he does not know anything about the case. Karam and Kehkashan are seated so far back in the courtroom that they can only hear part of the proceedings.

Then Fatima’s husband Abdul Shaikh takes the stand. Since Fatima’s death, he and his daughters have been guests at the Muslim celebration of Eid, and he has gotten along fine with the Husains—but Fatima’s death has robbed him of even the possibility of happiness, although their marriage certainly was not happy at the moment when Fatima doused herself with kerosene. Abdul Shaikh is nervous on the witness stand, even when answering the prosecutor’s questions. As he gains confidence in his testimony, he lies and says the Husains had beaten his wife.

Cynthia, Fatima’s best friend, testifies next. She hates the Husains because their success at the garbage business has meant her family’s failure. Although she was not present at the time of Fatima’s burning, Cynthia gives false testimony to condemn the Husains. The defense attorney catches this lie, and Cynthia leaves the stand vowing to get revenge on the Husains.