Slain cop's kin satisfied with Batla House verdict

The family of Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was killed in the Batla House shootout in Jamia Nagar Sep 19, 2008, Thursday expressed satisfaction over the verdict, and said the family now awaits the final judgment.

A Delhi court Thursday convicted the lone accused and Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative Shahzad Ahmed in the controversial shootout that killed Sharma.

Sharma's octogenarian father, Naurottam Sharma, in conversation with IANS, said: "I am satisfied with the court's decision, but await the final judgment. I am worried that the accused can move the higher court."

The slain inspector's 76-year-old mother Devinder Devi also told IANS that she was waiting for a final judgment that would bring justice to her son, who lost his life in a brave attempt to apprehend terrorists involved in Delhi serial blasts of 2008.

"I don't know who killed my son. But I never forget his martyrdom," Devi told IANS.

Sharma, who had won seven gallantry medals, including a President's Medal, was gunned down during the Batla House encounter at Jamia Nagar Sep 19, 2008, seven days after serial blasts rocked the national capital. It was suspected that members of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) were hiding in a house in the area.

Sharma is survived by his parents, wife and two children.

He joined Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and was instrumental in the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of another 80 militants, a Delhi Police officer said.