New Delhi: On Saturday, India Gate became the venue for a massive outpour of anger, frustration and outrage against the infamous Jessica Lall verdict.
There's been no let-up in the protests over the shocking verdict in the case.
After a candle-light vigil in Mumbai last week, where thousands turned up to show solidarity with Lall's bereaved family, hundreds of protestors gathered at the monument in Delhi demanding a retrial in the case.
Citizens from across the city matched steps and protested against the acquittal of all accused in the 1999 shoot-out case.
Among those participating in the vigil were Jessica's sister Sabrina, social activist Swami Agnivesh, Neelam Krishnamurthy of the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy, young murder victim Nitish Katara's mother Neelam Katara, fashion designer Ravi Bajaj, model Joey Mathew and a large number of students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
"After seeing so many people support us, I also have a renewed hope for justice in the case," Jessica’s sister Sabrina Lall said.
Students, senior citizens and others, who participated in the march, lit candles and shouted slogans like 'Death for Manu Sharma', 'We want Justice for Jessica'.
As people expressed their anger and dissatisfaction, the demand for a retrial in the case grew stronger.
While the gathering engaged in slogan shouting, lighting candles and singing extempore songs, family members, friends and concerned citizens seemed eager to ensure that their voices were heard.
The evening also saw echoes of similar cases where justice continues to elude the victims and their families.
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With public opinion gathering force the sustained pressure seems be having effect.
Political intervention began when the issue was raised in both Houses of Parliament and now, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has also stepped in, asking for new legal norms and a retrial.
The others accused were all charged under sections 120(b), 302, 201 and 212 of the Indian Penal Code.
Lal was rushed to a nearby hospital in Safdurjung Enclave, but was later declared dead at the Apollo Hospital.
On April 29, Ramani's restaurant was hosting a party at which Jessica and other models, including Ramani's daughter Malini, were serving as bartenders.
Malini was reportedly the last person to talk to Jessica before she died and also to hear the conversation between the model and Manu.
Sharma fled from the restaurant with his friends in a Tata Sierra. According to the chargesheet, he spent the night in Vikas Yadav's Ghaziabad house. The car was found abandoned in Noida.
Sharma later surrendered on his father’s advice and was arrested on May 6, 1999 in Chandigarh.
Yadav, however, denies he helped Manu Sharma escape. He had managed to get an anticipatory bail but the Delhi High Court cancelled it.
Socialite Bina Ramani, her husband George Mailhot and daughter Malini Ramani were arrested under various provisions of the Excise Act on May 8, 1999.
The Delhi High Court issued show-cause notices to the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi Government on a petition seeking the transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation in view of the 'high profile nature of the case' on May 17, 1999.
Former president Shanker Dayal Sharma's son-in-law Shyam Sunder Sharma was released on bail on May 15, 1999.
Manu Sharma, prime accused in the Jessica Lall murder case, on May 12 was remanded to a five days in police custody by a metropolitan magistrate in Delhi.
Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi range) Y S Dadwal who had visited the restaurant where model Jessica Lall was shot dead was relieved from his post on May 10, 1999.
During his questioning, Dadwal had said that he had left the restaurant much before the murder took place.
The Delhi High Court on January 25, 2002, granted interim bail of six weeks to Manu Sharma Nine days after his surrender to the trial court, the Delhi High Court once again granted two-and-half months' bail to Manu Sharma on March 20, 2002.
The Delhi High Court on October 15, 2004, granted 90 days interim bail to Manu Sharma.
2005: Manu Sharma still on bail.
Feb 21, 2006: All acquitted
(With inputs from Neha Seth)
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