Jessica Lal’s Sister Sabrina Writes to Tihar Jail, Says Have no Objection to Manu Sharma’s Release

The jail's welfare officer had written a letter to her regarding compensation and release of Sidhartha Vahishta aka Manu Sharma. In response, she wrote that she didn't need any financial assistance and the money should be given to others, who are more in need.

New Delhi, Apr 23: Almost two decades after model Jessica Lal’s murder, her sister Sabrina Lal has written to the Tihar jail authorities that she has no objection to the release of the killer, Manu Sharma, who is serving a life-term for the crime. She has written that Sharma has been doing good charity work and helping other inmates, which is a reflection of reform.

She told a newspaper that Sharma served his sentences; hence, in her own mind, she had forgiven him. She added that she wanted to get on with her life. She said she didn’t want to hold on to any more anger and hurt.

The jail’s welfare officer had written a letter to her regarding compensation and release of Sidhartha Vahishta aka Manu Sharma. In response, she wrote that she didn’t need any financial assistance and the money should be given to others.

Sharma has spent 15 years in jail in total. Due to his good behaviour, he has been in open prison for the last six months. He might seek an early release for discipline and conduct. He was sent to a semi-open jail in August 2015. He had been running an NGO that helped in education children of inmates. He also helped in increasing the revenue of the jail factory.

Jessica was shot dead at a Delhi restaurant in 1999 when she was bartending at a party hosted by designer Bina Ramani. Sharma shot her when she refused him a drink.He was acquitted by a trial court, but the high court reversed the decision in 2006. The Supreme Court upheld the HC verdict, sentencing him to life.