Bina Ramani, a key witness in the Jessica Lal murder case, on Monday described the conviction of Manu Sharma as the culmination of an over seven-year-long struggle for justice and said it felt "unbelievable".
Ramani also sought a witness protection programme in the country.
"It's unbelievable. It's great," an emotional Ramani told reporters in Panaji.
Almost breaking into tears, the socialite in whose restaurant Tamarind Court, located in Mehrauli in Delhi, the crime occurred, recalled the last moments of Lal as she was being taken to the hospital after being shot by Sharma.
"She was in the backseat of my car. There were two waiters holding her. She was breathing so loud, fighting for her life," she said in a choking voice.
"She was breathing hard for life and I was watching her slip away. I could not see her so helpless," Ramani added.
Terming the last seven-and-a-half years a struggle for justice, Ramani said, "Finally, a whole new life is to begin." She said she will devote herself more actively to social service now.
Ramani also stressed on the need to put in place a witness protection programme, recalling the tremendous pressure she underwent as did the other witnesses in the case.
"There should be strong protection for witnesses and I will be on the forefront to create some kind of platform," Ramani told PTI at her Goa residence minutes after the verdict was pronounced by the Delhi high court.
"There will be no Zaheera Sheikhs and Shayan Munshis if we have more protection for witnesses," she said.
