Jessica Lall’s Sister Says She’s ‘Okay’ With Killer Getting Bail

Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj

Almost 20 years after Jessica Lall was shot dead on 30 April 1999, Sabrina, the sister of the Delhi-based model, has said that she has “no objection” to the release of the man who killed her.

Siddartha Vashishta, better known as Manu Sharma, is currently serving life imprisonment in Tihar jail for having shot dead Jessica after she refused him a drink at a party in Delhi where she was a bartender.

Sabrina made the comments in a letter to the welfare officer, Central Jail No. 2, in March, The Times of India reported.

I would like to state I have no objection to his release, owing to the fact that he has spent 15 years in jail.

Sabrina Lall wrote in a letter, according to The Times of India

She was responding to the jail officer’s letter addressed to her about "compensation and release of Sidhartha Vahishta s/o Venod Sharma convicted in FIR no 287/1999 under section 302 IPC", reported TOI.

Sorry If I've Offended Anyone With My Decision: Sabrina Lall

Speaking to the media at her residence in Gurugram on 23 April, Sabrina Lall further clarified that she is taking the decision as she needs to get on with her life.

I have been alone in this battle. I need to have my life back. Thank you to everyone who supported me and I am sorry if anyone gets offended by this, but I can’t take it anymore. I am done. 

Sabrina Lall

Sabrina has been fighting her sister’s case since 1999 and now she wants to let go of her anger and move on in life.

I thought it is okay if Manu Sharma walks free. There is no specific reason. You need to rest your mind and move on with your life. 

Sabrina Lall

There's No Compensation for a Life Lost: Sabrina Lall

Sabrina is of the view that nothing can compensate for a life that has been lost. referring to her sister’s murder and her parents’ death, she said “When you take a life, nothing can compensate. But there comes a time when you have to get rid of your own anger and baggage.”

Sabrina has also declined to accept the ‘financial assistance from the victim welfare fund’ and asked the authorities to disburse it among people who need the money, ToI reported.

Manu Sharma has reportedly served the last six months in an open prison and may seek an early release from the prison on the basis of “excellent work, discipline and conduct," TOI reported. The son of the former Indian National Congress minister Venod Sharma was sentenced by the Delhi High Court in December 2006. In February 2011, the Supreme Court of India upheld the High Court’s verdict.

The Times of India reported that Sharma had been given “special remission on 11 occasion” and he was also granted remission five times by the Deputy inspector general (DG) Prisons for “exceptional work and conduct".

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