Jessica Lal murder: Manu Sharma seeks parole

The Delhi High Court Friday issued notice to the city government and sought a status report from it on Jessica Lal murder convict Manu Sharma's plea for a month's parole to take examinations.

Justice Hima Koli asked the Delhi government to file a status report on the issue by Dec 18.

Manu Sharma, 36, who is serving a life sentence here for killing ramp model Jessica Lal in 1999, moved the high court seeking parole to prepare and take his second semester examinations for a post-graduate degree in Human Rights from Dec 30 onwards.

He also added that he has to "prepare master thesis, field report, study report, case study report and select a guide, as required for completion of the post-graduation course".

Sharma, in his plea also said that to establish social ties, he needs parole.

On Nov 27, 2013, the jail superintendent of Tihar Jail forwarded his application for grant of parole to the government, but no order has been passed yet. Aggrieved by the tardiness of the government's response, Sharma moved the high court, the plea said.

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

Manu Sharma was awarded life imprisonment by the high court in December 2006 for the murder of Jessica Lal. The life term was upheld by the Supreme Court.

The 34-year-old Jessica Lall, 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 at a party.