Tandoor case convict Sushil Sharma to walk out of jail

New Delhi, Sep 18: Delhi High Court today rapped the police for not complying with its order to release on parole former youth Congress leader Sushil Sharma, convicted of killing his wife in the sensational Tandoor murder case, even three days after the direction.

Justice Siddharth Mridul expressed unhappiness over the attitude of the jail authorities that despite court's orders, Sharma, who was behind the bars for the last 20 years for the murder of his wife Naina Sahni, was not released from jail.

Sharma's release was assured today after Ajay Chaudhary, OSD to Lieutenant Governor, was asked to appear in court and explain why the court's order was not complied with. On appearance before the court, Chaudhary produced a letter which stated that Sharma will be released today.

The court, however, said that he passed the order and even ensured on September 15 his decision be communicated to Tihar jail authorities, so that Sharma walks out that day.

"Tuesday (September 15) was a good day, than other days. He (Sharma) should have been released on that day itself," the judge remarked. The non compliance of the court's order was brought to the court's attention by the convict's lawyer, Sumeet Verma.

The court had said that till Sharma's plea seeking remission and premature release was decided by the Sentence Review Board, he will remain out of jail on parole.

The judge had also made clear while passing the decision that "no condition" is imposed on Sharma while he will be on parole. Sharma was convicted of murdering his wife Naina whom he suspected of infidelity.

He had shot her with his licensed revolver on July 2, 1995, took her body to a restaurant, chopped it into pieces and tied to burn it in the restaurant's oven (tandoor).

PTI