Jessica Lal murder convict Manu Sharma 'showing signs of reform': 10 points

Sent to prison for murdering Jessica Lal, Manu Sharma could soon be set free and the victim's sister says she has already forgiven him

Almost 20 years after model Jessica Lal was gunned down at a restaurant in New Delhi, her sister Sabrina Lal, who fought a lengthy legal battle for justice, has said that she has moved on and has no objection to the convict, Siddharth Vashishtha (better known as Manu Sharma) being released from jail. Vashishtha is serving a life term in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for the 1999 murder. Manu Sharma has been shifted to open prison, where he is allowed to leave at 8 am and return by 6 pm every day. This has also paved the way for his final release after 15 years in prison. Manu Sharma's name would be sent to the Sentence Review Board later this month.

Lal said she had received a letter from the jail authorities regarding a victim compensation fund and Sharma's release last month, adding that she had replied to the letter and said she had "no objection to his release".

"I replied to that letter and said I had no objection to his release. It's not so much about forgiveness but it's about letting go of a burden, something from which I have moved on. For me, it's about taking a load off me," she told news agency PTI.

Here are the top 10 updates around Jessica Lal murder convict Manu Sharma's release:
1) Jessica Lal's sister says she has no objection to Manu Sharma's release after 15 years in jail: In her reply to the letter sent by jail authorities, Lal pointed out that Sharma had been helping inmates during the 15 years he had spent in prison. "I would like to state that I have no objection to his release, owing to the fact that he has spent 15 years in jail," she wrote.

2) Sabrina Lal says Manu Sharma showing signs of reform: Lal pointed out that he had also worked for charity. "I am told that in this period he has been doing good work for charity and helping inmates in jail which I feel is a reflection of reform," her letter said.

3) 'Forgave Jessica Lal's murderer as Christianity teaches': Sabrina, according to reports, is forgiving Manu Sharma as she "believes in the Christian philosophy of forgiveness, just like her mother".

ALSO READ: No objection if Jessica killer released from jail; have moved on: Sister
4) L-G to decide Manu Sharma's fate, not Jessica's sister, says Tihar official: A month after murdered model Jessica Lal's sister Sabrina Lal wrote to Tihar jail authorities that she had "forgiven" Manu Sharma, officials said the convict's fate would be decided by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal after the jail's Sentence Review Board (SRB) submits a report. Sabrina Lal had written to Prison Welfare Officer that her family wanted to lead a normal life and had no objection if Manu Sharma, sentenced to undergo life imprisonment for murder, is released from the Tihar Central Jail.

A jail officer said only the L-G can decide Manu Sharma's release, not Jessica's sister. "It is up to the SRB meeting of seven to eight high-rank officials, chaired by Minister Satyendar Jain. The SRB will examine the case of 40-50 prisoners along with Manu Sharma, their police report and social welfare reports to take a final decision. Even if the SRB approves a prisoner's release, a report is sent to the Lieutenant Governor for a final decision. The L-G reserves the right to turn down even the SRB report," the official said.

Sheena Bora case: Indrani, Peter Mukerjea charged with murder, conspiracy

Latest News : A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Tuesday charged Indrani Mukerjea, her husband Peter Mukerjea and her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna with murder and criminal conspiracy in New Delhi. Trial in Special CBI Court will begin from February 1, wherein, the convicts will be sentenced, according to reports.

The CBI argued that Indrani killed her daughter Sheena over property dispute, with the help of ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamvar Rai. The former Star India CEO and media baron Peter Mukherjea is also an accused in the murder as he apparently knew the plot to kill Sheena but kept silent.

Earlier, Peter Mukerjea's lawyer had accused the CBI of pursuing an agenda against Peter to malign his image.

Two charge sheets have been filed in the case so far. According to the first charge sheet filed on 19 November 2015, the CBI had named Indrani, Khanna, and Rai as accused in the case. The trio was arrested in August last year. The second charge sheet was filed on 16 February 2016 against Peter for his alleged role in the murder plot, who was arrested on 19 November, 2015.

Sheena was allegedly strangled to death by her mother Indrani with the help of her former husband Sanjeev Khanna. She was killed for entering into a relationship with Peter's son from an earlier marriage. Read more.

65-year-old Hindu priest brutally killed in Bangladesh

65-year-old Hindu priest brutally killed in Bangladesh

A 65-year-old Hindu priest was killed today by three bike-borne assailants inBangladesh while he was on his way to a temple, the latest murder in the Muslim- majority nation which has seen a string of brutal attacks on minorities and secular activists by Islamists.

Ananta Gopal Ganguly was attacked at around 9:30 a.m by three men who slit his throat with sharp-edged weapons in the western Jhinaigah district, Assistant Superintendent of Police Gopinath Kanjilal said, adding that militants carried out the murder.

Police said they have recovered the body and sent it for an autopsy. An investigation was launched into the incident.

There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh in recent months specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers, intellectuals and foreigners.

On Sunday, a Christian businessman was hacked to death by unidentified machete-wielding men near a church, hours after the wife of a top anti-terror police officer was shot dead by religious extremists.(more)

Bihar MLC's son Rocky Yadav arrested for murder of teenager

Rakesh Ranjan Yadav alias Rocky Yadav, the son of ruling JD(U) MLC Manorama Devi who allegedly shot dead a 20-year-old youth for overtaking his vehicle, was arrested from his father's mixer plant in the district today.

Police have recovered the weapon used in the crime.

"The main accused Rocky Yadav was arrested from his father Bindi Yadav's mixer plant located at Mastpura village of Bodh Gaya Police Station of Gaya district. Rocky was arrested along with the weapon (Bretta pistol) used in the crime," Senior Superintendent of Police Garima Mallik said.

Mallik claimed that Rocky, who was produced before mediapersons during a press conference with a mask on his face, had admitted to his crime in a statement.

However, minutes later Rocky Yadav pleaded innocence and denied that he was involved.

"I was in Delhi...When my mother called me I came and presented myself before the SSP.. I did not open fire," Rocky Yadav said.Read more about this News.

Women beating her sick and helpless 70-year-old mother-in-laws.

A woman was caught mercilessly beating up her 70-year-old mother-in-law and trying to strangle her with a cloth at her home in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. A CCTV installed by her estranged husband recorded the brutality.

The woman Sangeeta Jain has been arrested on charges of attempt to murder after her husband showed the shocking video to the police.

The video captured on January 5 shows Sangeeta first hitting the elderly woman Raj Rani Jain and then trying to strangle her with a cloth. Read More.