Jessica Lal case convict Manu Sharma seeks parole for exams

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to police and sought their response on the parole plea of Manu Sharma, who is serving a life term in the Jessica Lal murder case, so that he could sit for post-graduation examinations in human rights.

Justice Geeta Mittal asked police to file their response on Sharma's parole plea and posted the matter for June 16.

During the hearing, Sharma's counsel told the court that his exams will commence from June 19. He also submitted that the Delhi government rejected his application for parole June 6.

The court granted parole to Sharma in December to appear in his exams.

Parole is temporary release of a convict from prison before the end of his sentence, subject to certain conditions.

Manu Sharma, 36, who is serving a life sentence here for killing ramp model Jessica Lal in a bar in 1999, was awarded life imprisonment by the high court December 2006. The life term was upheld by the Supreme Court.

The 34-year-old Jessica Lal, who was working as a celebrity waitress, was shot dead April 29, 1999, by Manu Sharma at the Tamarind Court restaurant owned by socialite Bina Ramani at Qutub Colonnade in south Delhi's Mehrauli area after she refused to serve him drinks.