Jessica Lal’s sister holds no grudge against her murderer

New Delhi: The man who murdered Jessica Lal for refusing him late night alcohol at a crowded party back in April 1999 is now serving life imprisonment in the murder case.

Jessica Lal’s sister Sabrina Lal says since the assailant Manu Sharma has already spent 15 years in prison she has no objection if her sister’s murderer is released now.

In a letter to the welfare office of the Central Jail, Tihar, where Siddharth Vashista aka Manu Sharma is imprisoned, Ms. Sabrina said she has no objection to his release.

“I am also told that in this period he has been doing good work for charity and helping inmates in jail, which I feel is a reflection of reform.”

“I do not require financial assistance from the victim welfare fund and request you to give the same to others, who are more in need,” she said in her letter, mentioning ‘No grudge’ against her sister’s murderer.

While speaking to Hindu, Ms Sabrina told that there was no point in holding grudge and anger against him since he has already spent 15 years of his life in prison.

“I have never met him or any of his family members. I was very upset and hurt, and for many years we [she and her parents] were quite angry. But I think he has served enough for the crime he had committed. My parents passed away years ago. I do not want to hold a grudge and anger against him anymore. I have no objection if he comes out,” she said.

Forgiving and letting go of what he has done in 1999, she says she believes in forgiveness just like her mother believed.

Reports on Sharma’s performance in Tihar Jail says he is associated with an NGO working for rehabilitation of prisoners and their children and also helps his inmates kids to get equal education by providing fees, uniforms, books and stationery for them.

However, according to legal experts, only the State government has the sole discretion to alter any prisoner’s punishment.

Forgiveness or no objection by the victims’ family members will be of no use or support to alter the prisoner’s punishment.