Finally, justice has been delivered though delayed. The Delhi High Court on December 18 held Manu Sharma guilty for the murder of model Jessica Lal on April 29, 1999 at a party at the Tamrind Court restaurant in south Delhi. Jessica's family, which has been for the past seven-and-a-half years striving to get Manu punished, can now breathe in peace. Hostile witnesses, investigative loopholes and even a last ditch effort by noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani could not reverse Manu's fortunes. Her sister, Sabrina Lal discusses the verdict.
Following is the chat transcript:
Sabrina Lal says, Hello, I am here to answer your questions. Thanks for good wishes. Here we go.
amaresh asked, congrats Sabrina ..You got justice. It shows that still some one is above the politicians -- that's the judiciary
Sabrina Lal answers, Thank you very much. Yes, that is the way it should be.
careersource asked, hi Sabrina finally u got justice
Sabrina Lal answers, Yes, it is a big relief. We have finally got vindication after so many years.
eddy asked, Hi Sabrina, just to congratulate you and say we are all glad that delayed though, justice has come. It is a first step for a long and weary road we all Indians have to go to make India a better place to live.
Sabrina Lal answers, Thanks. Yes, justice has come at last. We should keep up the good work and lend others our support as well.
VISHALUAE asked, I want to know where is Mr INTELLECTUAL....RAM JETHMALANI...must be with tall black "SIKH"...hehehe
Sabrina Lal answers, Good one. You made me laugh.
anurag asked, congrats Sabrina .. At last u got justice .. You should be thankful to media .. Without there help this was not at all possible
Sabrina Lal answers, I agree with you and I have been thanking the media persons all through these month for their perseverance and hard work.
siddhartha asked, hi Sabrina do you want death sentence for Manu
Sabrina Lal answers, No, I want him to suffer in jail and pay for what he has done.
ajay asked, hi Sabrina congrats on the judge statement but don't u think Ms Ramani after giving statement against manu sharma has made her life more risky.
Sabrina Lal answers, No, I do not think so. I think she has shown great courage and we should acknowledge that.
jatin asked, hi Sabrina, you are the face of a new nation. You have made this year a historical one after the year of independence. It's not only your victory, its the victory of all Indians, and a slap on the face of people who think they can buy justice on a window shopping spree...three cheers to SABRINA
Sabrina Lal answers, Yes, I think it is a victory for the common man. Something that was long over due and something we should all be proud off.
jamdes asked, Hi Sabrina ; just want to know how to contact you on telephone so I can use your interview for our local Indian newspaper .My e-mail adress is jamdes2001@yahoo.com. This news will be used in the local Indian paper in LA-California.
Sabrina Lal answers, My email is lallsabrina@hotmail.com. Please send your message through email.
Varun asked, hi Sabrina! Congratulations! God has finally opened his eyes! It had to come in any case. It's high time ram jethmalani retires. The guy has gone senile. It is good justice for the country. Faith is restored in the judicial system.
Sabrina Lal answers, I think this verdict has reinforced our faith in the judicial system.
rajeev_3369 asked, a
forum must be formed with likeminded people to represent such tragic cases. There are so many Jessicas, Mattoos ,still waiting for justice.
Sabrina Lal answers, I agree. We should all make some kind of forum to help those who are still waiting for justice. I hope someone would take the initiative.
Sushil_19 asked, Congrats... Just to make our society aware and more responsive - so that it may not happen to others, I would like to have your views on how, we can educate the society; make them more responsive. Thanks and Regards
Sabrina Lal answers, The fact that Manu Sharma has been punished should hopefully act as a deterrent to others who feel that the rich and powerful can get away with murder.
Andy asked, What according to you was the reason for the lower court to give the verdict in Manu's favour? What punishment would you demand for Manu?
Sabrina Lal answers, The fact that the accused used all the resources to subvert justice right from the police to the witnesses to tilt the scales in their favour. I am happy that he has been convicted and I would accept whatever punishment the high court gives him.
ichetan asked, Sabrina: You are so wrong in asking Manu Sharma life imprisonment because these kids of Politicians will get out of jail after 2 / 3 years and they will be back on the same track. Death for Manu!!!
Sabrina Lal answers, I do not agree with you simply because life imprisonment means that Manu has to spend rest of his life in jail whereas death penalty would be more of a punishment to his family members.
kuri asked, this is tony from melbourne, give you my support sabrina, manu sharma needs to be hanged
Sabrina Lal answers, Thank you.
ms asked, ARE U GOING TO SUE RAMJETHMALANI...???
Sabrina Lal answers, NO. I have no such intention. In fact I need to thank him. In my opinion he was more of a help to us.
apurva asked, hello madam don't you feel you have forced the judiciary to make the decision in your favour by making it such a mass public issue
Sabrina Lal answers, I was not personally responsible for making this a public issue and on this subject the honourable judges have themselves remarked that they were not influenced by the media. They have taken their independent decision based on the evidence put before them.
asdfasdf asked, I am staying in bombay and I just want to know what the people of Delhi feel about the verdict
Sabrina Lal answers, I guess they are happy and proud.
vaidyanathan asked, Sabrina, After the Priyadarshini Mattoo verdict do you think we may get justice as well?
Sabrina Lal answers, Sure we hope everyone gets justice. I feel an atmosphere has been created in the country which is conducive for the guilty to be punished.
ashish_t asked, What kind of verdict you want with police persons who turned hostile
Sabrina Lal answers, It is believed that some of the police officials have conspired with the accused and they should be held accountable for the same.
ssooraj asked, do you think Shayan Munshi cheated his conscience , Do u think he should be punished
Sabrina Lal answers, If he had one, he would not have done what he did.
Ajit asked, Did anyone put pressure on you to drop the media campaign or low ball the issue?
Sabrina Lal answers, Nobody put pressure on me.
Sabrina Lal says, Hello I have another appointment. Thanks for your good wishes and good bye.
