Digambar Badge (Hindi: दिगम्बर बड़गे, Tamil: திகம்பர் பேட்ஜ்) was an Indian Hindu political activist. A member of the Hindu Mahasabha, he was a member of the group that plotted to assassinate Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. At the trial of Gandhi's assassins in 1948 and 1949, Badge turned approver and deposed as a prime prosecution witness.It was based on his complete confession of his involvement in the conspiracy that the entire case was solved by the police.
Savarkar, who had a track record of complicity in at least two murders, was acquitted of the charge of conspiracy to Gandhi's murder only because the approver, Badge's evidence lacked independent corroboration; a common flaw in conspiracy cases. But Judge Atma Charan accepted Badge as a truthful witness. "He gave his version of the facts in a direct and straight-forward manner. He did not evade cross-examination or attempt to evade or fence with any question."2q
Famous quotes containing the word badge:
“It would much conduce to the public benefit, if, instead of discouraging free-thinking, there was erected in the midst of this free country a dianoetic academy, or seminary for free-thinkers, provided with retired chambers, and galleries, and shady walks and groves, where, after seven years spent in silence and meditation, a man might commence a genuine free-thinker, and from that time forward, have license to think what he pleased, and a badge to distinguish him from counterfeits.”
—George Berkeley (1685–1753)