Was AAP responsible for Jessica Murderer release?

Manu Sharma, who was convicted for the murder of model Jessica Lal, has been released from the Tihar Jail, as, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal signed off on the decision. It was recommended by the Delhi Sentence review board. This was a unanimous decision made by the board, which was chaired by the Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain.

Manu Sharma, aka Siddhant Vashishta, is among 18 other prisoners who got released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail, on Monday, 1 June, 2020.

The 43-year-old was released from the jail on the basis of his “satisfactory jail conduct”, after being imprisoned for 17 years. Manu Sharma had been denied release four times prior to this freeing from the Jail on Monday.

Manu Sharma was convicted for the murder of Jessica Lal on April 20, 1999, after she refused to serve him a drink at a party in Tamarind Court restaurant in Delhi owned by socialite Bina Ramani.

This incident sparked a major controversy as people of power generally get away with murder, and other such crimes because of the influence, wealth and position in the society. He is the son of the former Union Minister Venod Sharma.

He was sentenced for a life term as the incident sparked outrage and protests throughout the country. His sentence was confirmed in 2010 by the Supreme Court.

His good behavior let him become a part of an open jail. He was permitted to go work from 8am to 6pm.

Jessica Lal’s sister said in an interview with NDTV said that his conviction served as a closure for her, and that she has forgiven Manu Sharma as he has served time in jail.

The release of Manu Sharma has again raised the temperature of political blame game in the capital. After the Lieutenant Governor signed the order for the release of Manu Sharma, BJP and the Lt Governor has been blamed for favouring a murderer, while the release of Manu Sharma was made by a unanimous decision in a meeting chaired by Delhi’s Home Minister Satyendar Jain.