Model's death: Verdict upheld
Source: Agencies |
April 20, 2010, Tuesday
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INDIA'S top court yesterday upheld an earlier court verdict sentencing a wealthy Indian politician's son to life in prison for the 1999 killing of a former model.
In 2006, the Delhi High Court had convicted Manu Sharma, 35, of shooting Jessica Lall after she refused to serve him a drink at an upscale New Delhi bar because it was closing time. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Sharma, who had been acquitted by a lower trial court before being convicted by the Delhi High Court, had appealed the verdict in the country's Supreme Court.
"I'm glad the final door has been closed on this," Sabrina Lall, the victim's sister, said after the announcement.
The top court ruled that "the Delhi High Court has given cogent and adequate reasons" for reversing the trial court's acquittal, Press Trust of India news agency said.
The case was seen as a test of the Indian judiciary's willingness to take on powerful people accused of criminal offenses.
Lall, who was a model and a celebrity, was serving drinks for one evening at a party at the bar.
The trial made headlines in India. Dozens of people witnessed the killing, but most later recanted their testimony as the case moved through the legal system.
Sharma is the son of Venod Sharma, an influential politician and former governing Congress Party minister in northern Haryana state with links to the sugar industry.
In 2006, the Delhi High Court had convicted Manu Sharma, 35, of shooting Jessica Lall after she refused to serve him a drink at an upscale New Delhi bar because it was closing time. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Sharma, who had been acquitted by a lower trial court before being convicted by the Delhi High Court, had appealed the verdict in the country's Supreme Court.
"I'm glad the final door has been closed on this," Sabrina Lall, the victim's sister, said after the announcement.
The top court ruled that "the Delhi High Court has given cogent and adequate reasons" for reversing the trial court's acquittal, Press Trust of India news agency said.
The case was seen as a test of the Indian judiciary's willingness to take on powerful people accused of criminal offenses.
Lall, who was a model and a celebrity, was serving drinks for one evening at a party at the bar.
The trial made headlines in India. Dozens of people witnessed the killing, but most later recanted their testimony as the case moved through the legal system.
Sharma is the son of Venod Sharma, an influential politician and former governing Congress Party minister in northern Haryana state with links to the sugar industry.
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