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Manu Sharma sent to police custody for 5 days

Suhasini Haidar in New Delhi

Siddharth Vashisht alias Manu Sharma, prime accused in the Jessica Lal murder case, has been remanded to police custody until May 12.

Sharma, who had been absconding after the model's murder on April 30 at a New Delhi bar, surrendered to the police in Chandigarh yesterday and was brought to Delhi last night.

He is accused of having fired at Jessica when she refused to serve him a drink.

Metropolitan Magistrate V K Khanna said in his order remanding Sharma to custody that on the basis of evidence collected so far there are "adequate grounds" to keep him in custody.

Sharma's lawyers pleaded strenuously for bail, but it was denied. They also accused the police of not having conducted the mandatory medical examination of the accused. The magistrate ordered the police to have the examination done.

During today's proceedings, Sharma refused to be presented at a test identification parade.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Joint Commissioner of Police (south) Amod Kanth said this refusal would help the prosecution's case.

He said the accused had admitted to having fired the shot that killed Jessica Lal. "The investigations are at a crucial stage right now, and it would not be proper to divulge the details of what he said," Kanth explained. "I will only say that we have a strong case."

Kanth, however, disclosed that witnesses had identified Manu Sharma in photographs.

But the murder weapon, a .22 pistol, is yet to be recovered.

The police are now waiting for the arrest of the last of the four accused, Vikas Yadav.

Yadav's father, Rajya Sabha member D P Yadav, has apparently assured the police that his son will turn himself in within a day.

But police sources said they are continuing their search for him.

Two other friends of Sharma, Amardeep Singh Gill alias Tony and Alok Khanna, who had also accompanied him to the restaurant and allegedly helped him flee Delhi, are already in custody.

Sharma was produced at Delhi's Patiala court at midday today. The hearing lasted more than 90 minutes. Sharma kept his face covered throughout the hearing, and even consulted his lawyers from under a towel.

But as the heat in the courtroom that was filled to capacity became overwhelming, he emerged from under the cover fleetingly, revealing a very young face with a frightened expression.

Though members of Sharma's family were conspicuous by their absence, a few friends of the 25-year-old were present in court to lend moral support.

"It's really sad how his whole life has been messed up," said one of them. "I can't believe he could kill somebody, he was the kind of friend who was always there for you."

According to Sharma's friends, he was set to leave for a short-duration management course in the United States this summer, but for the turn of events.

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