141:
193:
419:, stating regarding the treatment of the latter's evidence that, "With very great respect to the learned judge , we point out that this manner of testing the credibility of the witness is hardly a rule of appreciation of evidence. ... Obviously, this reflects total lack of application of mind and suggests a hasty approach towards securing a particular end, namely the acquittal."
498:, who represented Sharma in the Supreme Court, assailed the High Court verdict, alleging that the media had prejudged the issue and conducted a campaign to vilify his client. The Supreme Court accepted that there had been an element of "trial by media" but believed that it had not affected the decision of the High Court. The judges who maintained the
137:
High Court conducted proceedings on a fast track with daily hearings conducted over 25 days. The trial court judgment was overturned, and Manu Sharma was found guilty of having murdered Lal. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on 20 December 2006. On 2 June 2020 Manu Sharma was released from Tihar Jail by Delhi LG on grounds of good behavior.
445:
On 24 September 2009, the government in Delhi paroled Sharma for a 30-day period so that he could attend to some matters relating to his sick mother and the family business. The parole was further extended by 30 days, during which he was seen partying in a night-club and his mother appeared at public
367:
and email, seeking to obtain redress for the perceived miscarriage of justice. Rallies and marches took place, as well as candlelit vigils. The protests and candle light vigils were led by
Prabhloch Singh, the founder of an organization called the "Middle Finger Protests", also known as "Human Rights
281:
Ramani, her husband, and her daughter Malini were arrested on the same day as Jhigan. They were charged with operating an illegal bar and, although released on bail, had to surrender their passports. There were several lines of inquiry regarding the family, including whether or not Ramani — a UK
473:
The evidence regarding the actual incident, the testimonies of witnesses, the evidence connecting the vehicles and cartridges to the accused — Manu Sharma, as well as his conduct after the incident prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The High Court has analysed all the evidence and arrived
426:
that " is now claiming that the said statement was recorded in Hindi while he had narrated the whole story in
English as he did not know Hindi at all ... We do not find this explanation of Munshi to be convincing." Regarding Munshi's testimony that two guns were involved, the judgment says: "In
376:
Sometimes when the police, the prosecution and the lawyers all have connections with the criminals, the judge should be slightly proactive. He should try to get to the truth, and not depend totally on the evidence provided in court. In a case like this, he is not going to get proper evidence. Mostly
309:
Seven years after the case was opened, on 21 February 2006, nine of the twelve accused were acquitted, including Sharma. Jhingan had already been discharged and both
Ravinder Kishan Sudan and Dhanraj, were still at large. The prosecution had been affected by 32 of their witnesses becoming "hostile".
325:
The court has acquitted them because the Delhi police failed to sustain the grounds on which they had built up their case. The police failed to recover the weapon which was used to fire at
Jessica Lal as well as prove their theory that the two cartridges, emptied shells of which were recovered from
305:
Charge sheets were filed with the court on 3 August 1999. Sharma was charged with murder, destruction of evidence and other offences, while Khanna, Gill and Yadav faced lesser charges, including destruction of evidence, conspiracy and harbouring a suspect. Others similarly charged were Shyam Sunder
390:
The police petitioned the High Court for a review of the case and on 22 March 2006 the court issued warrants against the nine defendants who had stood trial. Eight of them were subsequently bailed in April, with restrictions imposed on their ability to leave the country. The ninth defendant, Gill,
293:
and presented himself to Delhi police on 19 May without arrest. He claimed to have been in Mumbai and elsewhere during the previous few weeks, and refused to comment regarding whether he had been in contact with his father. He admitted that Sharma had stayed with him on the night of the murder but
235:
Soon after the shooting, contact could not be made with Sharma's family and the family was absconding. After eluding police for a few days Khanna and Gill were arrested on 4 May and Sharma on 6 May with the assistance of accomplices. The murder weapon was not recovered and was thought to have been
136:
In the first trial, Manu Sharma was acquitted, leading to a huge uproar in the country, despite strong circumstantial evidence to convict the accused, questioning the acquittal, claiming it was not based on merit. Following intense media and public pressure, the prosecution appealed and the Delhi
404:. This appeared to show that witnesses had been bribed and coerced into retracting their initial testimony. Venod Sharma was named in the exposé as one who had paid money to some of the witnesses. Facing pressure from the central Congress leaders, Venod Sharma resigned from the Haryana cabinet.
522:
and a ballistic expert, P. S. Manocha, for turning hostile. The court cleared a further 17 people whose allegedly hostile position was under review. Ten other people had been discharged from claims of perjury in earlier hearings and three had died since the original trial.
358:
Most noticeably among India's urban middle class, the acquittal has released a pent-up frustration with an often blundering and corrupt law enforcement bureaucracy and a deep disgust with the rich and famous who, by all appearances, manipulated it to their
335:
newspaper also reported that the judge was aware that the prosecution was not assisted by the hostility of their witnesses, three of whom had seen the shooting, and by the fact that forensic examination contradicted police claims that two
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The Delhi police commissioner announced an investigation to determine where things had gone wrong, and said that among other things it would examine whether there had been a conspiracy, including possibly by tampering with the evidence.
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court he has taken a somersault and came out with a version that there were two gentlemen at the bar counter. ... e have no manner of doubt that on this aspect he is telling a complete lie."
340:
found at the scene were fired from the same weapon. Finally, the judge believed that the police had failed to provide a sufficient explanation of the chain of events which led up to the killing.
117:
who was working as a celebrity barmaid at a crowded socialite party when she was shot dead at around 2:00 am on 30 April 1999. Dozens of witnesses pointed to
Siddharth Vashisht, also known as
1182:
434:. A plea for Sharma to be sentenced to death was rejected on the grounds that the murder, although intentional, was not premeditated and Sharma was not considered to be a threat to society.
314:, Andleeb Sehgal, Karan Rajput, Shiv Lal Yadav and two ballistics experts, Roop Singh and Prem Sagar. After which, in February 2011, it was announced that all 32 would be facing charges of
44:
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the judiciary is depended on the evidence provided by the investigative agencies, but now when the situation is so bad, the judges have to wake up, be proactive and find the truth.
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denied being present himself at the
Tamarind Club or having any knowledge of the events that had occurred there until the next day, when he told Sharma to surrender to the police.
282:
national — had the necessary permits to operate a business in India. Another concern was to establish whether or not she had concealed evidence by ordering the cleaning up of
161:. The bar ran out of liquor at midnight which it only served till 12.30 am. After midnight, Manu Sharma walked in with three friends and demanded to be served liquor, offering
297:
Subsequently, he had short spells in custody and longer periods when he was freed on bail, with decisions and overturnings of them being made in various court hearings.
306:
Sharma, Amit
Jhingan, Yograj Singh, Harvinder Chopra, Vikas Gill, Raja Chopra, Ravinder Krishan Sudan and Dhanraj. The last three named had not yet been apprehended.
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On 20 December 2006, Sharma was punished with a sentence of life imprisonment and a fine. The other accused, Yadav and Gill, were fined and given four years'
767:
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Sharma's lawyer announced that the decision would be appealed in
Supreme Court because the judgment was wrong in holding Bina Ramani to be a witness.
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Sharma was granted a limited parole from 28 December 2013 to 5 January 2014. This was to allow him to sit for master's degree examinations in Delhi.
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876:
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On 15 December 2006, the High Court ruled that Sharma was guilty based on existing evidence, and also criticised the trial judge, S. L. Bhayana.
172:
at the ceiling as an intimidatory act. Lal refused again, after which Sharma fired again and the second bullet hit Lal in the head, killing her.
902:
581:
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at the premises, although by 19 May it had been announced that charges relating to this alleged destruction of evidence could not be brought.
372:, a former Chief Justice of India, implicitly criticized the trial judge, saying that it should have been an "open and shut" case and that
259:
who had redeveloped the premises of the shooting. Her daughter Malini Ramani knew Lal as a fellow-model. Singh managed the distribution of
1121:
996:
793:
1119:
278:, Yadav was still at large and it had also proved impossible to locate his father, who had promised to deliver his son to the police.
604:
17:
274:, as it was believed that he had retrieved the pistol from its original hiding place near the bar. While he was remanded in
1017:
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In particular, the key witness Munshi came in for serious criticism. The judgment says, of his earlier repudiation of the
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The judgment said that the lower court had been lax in not considering the testimony of witnesses such as Bina Ramani and
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On 29 April 1999, Lal was one of several models working at an unlicensed bar at a party in a restaurant overlooking the
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Due to confusion, a fight followed the shooting, during which Sharma and his friends — Amardeep Singh Gill,
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877:"Transcript of the news expose "Case Ke Kaatil", produced by Tehelka, and aired on STAR News (translation)"
211:
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The case by now involved several prominent people. Manu Sharma himself was the son of Venod Sharma, an
236:
passed on to a friend who had been visiting from the US and who may subsequently have returned there.
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In 2020 Sharma was out on bail because of the order of Delhi's LG on the grounds of good behavior.
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Amit Jhigan, an accomplice of Sharma, was arrested on 8 May and charged with conspiring to destroy
244:
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532:
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536:, a 2011 Hindi film starring Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan, was inspired by the incident.
337:
1212:
1147:"Jessica Lall murder: Actor Shayan Munshi, ballistic expert Manocha to face perjury trial"
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8:
133:, as the murderer. Manu Sharma was later convicted for the murder and sentenced to life.
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On 19 April 2010, the
Supreme Court of India approved the sentences and said that
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903:"Venod Sharma resigns from Haryana ministry | India News - Times of India"
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102:
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1057:"Manu Sharma, who shot dead Jessica Lal in 1999, released from Delhi prison"
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582:"Jessica case raises hopes for Mattoo | Delhi News - Times of India"
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In May 2013, Delhi High Court ordered prosecution of
Bollywood actor
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had not been traced since the original issue of warrants in March.
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There were numerous protest campaigns, including ones involving
1109:
Supreme Court of India Judgement of Criminal Appeal 179 of 2007
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Bina Ramani held, let off. Husband, daughter also in Excise net
275:
169:
283:
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842:"Crowd assured for religious functions but not for protests"
394:
On 9 September 2006, a sting operation by the news magazine
1032:"Jessica Lal murder case: Manu Sharma gets nine-day parole"
634:
Manu Sharma, Vikas Yadav charged with Jessica Lal's murder
494:, (2000) 4 SCC 484 to establish his case. Senior advocate
464:
450:
on 10 November 2009, two weeks before his parole expired.
368:
Protection Group" from Manu Sharma's hometown Chandigarh.
165:
1000 for it. Lal refused to do so and Sharma then fired a
502:
judgement pronounced by Justice R.S. Sodhi, were Justice
670:
Former minister's family absconding after model's murder
879:. STAR News/Tehelka. 26 September 2006. Archived from
385:
1016:. India: Yahoo News. 10 November 2009. Archived from
814:Acquittal in Killing Unleashes Ire at India's Rich
144:Qutab Colonnade Restaurant where murder took place
1173:"'No One Killed Jessica' no docu-drama: director"
1086:"Supreme Court confirms life term to Manu Sharma"
920:
918:
916:
695:
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563:, Indian lawyer and Manu Sharma's defence counsel
321:The trial judge commented after the outcome that
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794:All accused acquitted in Jessica Lal murder case
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113:(5 January 1965 – 30 April 1999) was a model in
1014:"Manu Sharma surrenders, returns to Tihar Jail"
926:"Key witness in Jessica case dubbed liar by HC"
724:Vikas Yadav granted bail in Jessica murder case
348:The reaction to the verdict was one of outcry.
1122:Jessica Lall murder case: Chronology of events
945:
943:
913:
690:
1149:. Indian Express. 22 May 2013. Archived from
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830:"People were afraid to protest against Manu"
486:arguing on behalf of the prosecution quoted
940:
685:Model's murderer continues to elude dragnet
629:
627:
625:
623:
700:Vikas Yadav surrenders, yet escapes arrest
354:described the situation a fortnight later
179:, and Alok Khanna — left the scene.
42:
247:. Yadav was the son of state politician,
856:"Jessica case: Manu Sharma granted bail"
736:
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732:
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646:
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343:
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869:
766:. PTI. 18 February 2011. Archived from
741:India campaign for murdered Delhi model
465:Supreme Court confirmation of sentences
243:member, who subsequently resigned from
14:
1220:
809:
807:
758:"Shayan Munshi to face perjury charge"
488:Chandra Mohan Tiwari vs. State of M.P.
446:functions. Sharma returned himself to
1165:
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1078:
949:
853:
844:, The Times of India, 16 January 2011
832:, The Times of India, 13 January 2011
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326:the spot, were fired from one weapon.
950:Singh, Sanghita (20 December 2006).
597:
595:
440:
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995:. 25 September 2009. Archived from
804:
386:Appeal and conviction in High Court
24:
1075:
987:"Manu Sharma out on 30-day parole"
513:
492:Jaswant Singh vs. State of Haryana
25:
1284:
1201:
1185:from the original on 27 July 2020
592:
191:
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1113:
1096:
1049:
1024:
979:
966:
928:. Rediff. PTI. 19 December 2006
895:
847:
835:
823:
750:
712:Vikas Yadav is on the run again
975:CRL.A.-193/2006 on 22 May 2013
854:Singh, Onkar (18 April 2006).
717:
705:
663:
574:
300:
27:1999 celebrity murder in India
13:
1:
567:
546:centred on a similar murder.
952:"Manu Sharma gets life term"
636:, Rediff.com, 3 August 1999.
400:was shown on the TV channel
125:, a wealthy and influential
7:
549:
407:
10:
1289:
1263:20th-century Indian people
1228:Deaths by firearm in India
1208:News summary at Rediff.com
726:, Rediff.com, 21 May 2001.
714:, Rediff.com, 9 July 1999.
702:, Rediff.com, 19 May 1999.
480:Solicitor General of India
474:at the correct conclusion.
456:
182:
1258:20th-century Indian women
687:, Rediff.com, 3 May 1999.
672:, Rediff.com, 3 May 1999.
289:Yadav was able to obtain
148:
98:
87:
69:
50:
41:
34:
1233:People murdered in India
241:Indian National Congress
1213:News summary at the BBC
490:, (1992) 2 SCC 105 and
202:is written like a story
607:28 August 2008 at the
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379:
361:
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18:Murder of Jessica Lall
1268:1999 murders in India
533:No One Killed Jessica
471:
432:rigorous imprisonment
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344:Reaction to acquittal
323:
216:neutral point of view
143:
1243:2006 crimes in India
1181:. 14 December 2010.
1020:on 13 November 2009.
251:. Bina Ramani was a
208:rewrite this article
127:Member of Parliament
999:on 25 October 2012.
801:, 22 February 2006.
770:on 2 September 2012
88:Cause of death
1178:The Indian Express
1135:Justice R.S. Sodhi
992:The Times of India
907:The Times of India
883:on 10 January 2011
818:The New York Times
763:The Times of India
586:The Times of India
542:, a 2016 novel by
527:In popular culture
351:The New York Times
212:encyclopedic style
146:
909:. 6 October 2006.
602:Murder of a Model
484:Gopal Subramaniam
441:Parole for Sharma
291:Anticipatory bail
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16:(Redirected from
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1153:on 19 June 2013
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73:30 April 1999
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