Tandoor murder case: SC commutes Sushil Sharma' death penalty to life imprisonment

New Delhi: In the most sensational 17-year-old tandoor case, the Supreme Court on Tuesday commuted former Congress leader Sushil Sharma's death penalty to life imprisonment. Sharma was accused of murdering his wife Naina Sahni in 1995 and burning her body in a tandoor (a clay oven). Then Delhi Youth Congress president has been in judicial custory since 1995. The tandoor murder, as it has come to be called, sent shock waves across the nation. According to a 19-page chargesheet submitted by police, Sharma doubted Sahni's fidelity. He believed she had an affair with Matloob Karim, her classmate and fellow Congress worker. On July 2 night, when Sharma returned to his flat, he saw Naina talking on the phone. But seeing him, she put down the receiver. Sharma, who had been suspicious, redialled the phone to find Karim on the other end. An infuriated Sharma shot down Naina with his revolver. Then he wrapped her body, took it to a neighbouring restaurant, cut into pices and put it in the tandoor. When the foul smell began emanating from the restaurant, police grew suspicious and the incident came to light.