The Delhi high court on Friday directed the Delhi government to produce before it a reason on the basis of which the plea of Sushil Sharma, former youth Congress leader convicted in tandoor murder cas
The Delhi high court on Friday directed the Delhi government to produce before it a reason on the basis of which the plea of Sushil Sharma, former youth Congress leader convicted in tandoor murder case, for his premature release from Tihar jail was rejected.
Justice Siddharth Mridul also sought the record of the decision, if any, passed by the lieutenant-governor in Sharma’s case.
Despite the decision taken by the Sentence Reviewing Board (SRB), which is headed by Delhi government’s minister and officials, premature release is subject to approval of the L-G.
The court’s direction came on a plea by Sharma’s counsel Sumeet Verma who alleged that without any communication from the competent authority (the L-G) about finality of the decision, the accused was forced to return to jail on April 12.
The government’s home department had informed them about the L-G’s decision, which is not on record, on May 2, Mr Verma said.
The court said that since the decision of SRB is here, the convict’s prayer dose not survive any more.
It, however, expressed displeasure over the reason given by the government for rejecting the convict’s release and said that there is nothing against him.
“It is due to the gravity of the offence, his application for premature release has been rejected. You can’t decide in an arbitrary manner. I will issue notice to Delhi government and the L-G,” the court said.
