SC upholds life for Jessica Lal's killer

[ViruRulez]

New Delhi: Almost 11 years, numerous hearings and three levels of judiciary later. It's finally established who killed model Jessica Lall. The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jessica was murdered by Manu Sharma alias Siddharth Vashisht. In an over 200 page judgement, the apex court upheld the Delhi High Court's verdict and sent Manu Sharma back to the prison to serve a life term. It was a verdict which put to rest a decade long struggle of the Lall family and those who helped them fight for justice. In February 2006, the Patiala House court had ruled that prosecution had no evidence and no witness to prove Manu Sharma guilty. A civil society churning and a media onslaught later, Delhi High Court tok suo motto cognizance and in December the same year held that there was enough circumstantial evidence to establish beyond doubt that Manu Sharma murdered Jessica and that Vikas Yadav and Amardeep Singh Gill helped him destroy evidence. Four years later, the Supreme Court too finds itself in agreement with the High Court's verdict. LONG WAIT: After 11 years, it's finally established who killed model Jessica Lall. Botched up police investigation, uncooperative prosecution, hostile witnesses, influenced experts, you name it and this case had seen it all. From the two-gun theory to discrediting unyielding eye witnesses, every trick in the book was tried. But as the Supreme Court's verdict proves even a common man without money and muscle power can hope for justice in this country. The case so far: April '99: Jessica Lall shot dead in a Delhi restaurant May '99: Chief accused Manu Sharma surrenders Feb '06: HC takes suo motu notice of the case Dec '06: Manu Sharma charged with murder by HC Feb '10: SC reserves judgement April '10: SC upholds Manu Sharma's life sentence After Jessica's Lall's killers, it's the turn of those who tried to kill the case. And, first on the list is prosecution witness number one Shayan Munshi, the man who tended the bar with Jessica on 29th April 1999, a complainant in this case who delivered a body blow to the case when he turned hostile in court. Model turned actor Shayan Munshi had testified in court that the Delhi police had fabricated the FIR naming Manu Sharma as an accused and since he couldn't read hindi, he signed on the FIR in good faith. Munshi damaged the prosecution further when he introduced the two-gun theory, virtually giving a clean chit to Manu Sharma. "His (Munshi) role was terrible. Being a complainant in the case, he messed it up far more than he should have. Despite whatever threat he was under, he was the only educated and affluent boy who should not have succumbed to that extent," says Sabrina Lall. The actor would have walked free but the Delhi High Court felt that Munshi and other witnesses may have lied under oath. Immediately after delivering the Jessica case verdict in December 2006, the Delhi High Court issued summons to Munshi and 30 others, asking why they should not be prosecuted for perjury. "We had made it clear, if Manu is acquitted Munshi and others are free. But now that Manu has been convicted, they are in trouble," says R S Sodhi. In the past few years lawyers defending Munshi and others have approached the High Court several times for relief but in vain. And now with Supreme Court judgement out of the way, these hostile witnesses stare at a possibility of upto five years behind bars, if found guilty of lying under oath.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-upholds-life-for-jessica-lals-killer/113606-3.htm Supreme Court :isalute:

[Roshanrocks]

finally some justice :icflove: after 11 years

[ViruRulez]

one thing I want very soon implemented is a quick justice system in India but I am not sure if it will ever happen .. Indian judicial system needs to be drastically changed so that there is quick and proper justice