M A I N   N E W S

Manu Sharma’s ‘confession’ with police
Our Correspondent

New Delhi, October 2
Television channels have access to an audio CD in which Manu Sharma has allegedly confessed in chilling detail to killing model Jessica Lall and making his getaway from the scene of the crime.

There is also an indication that the police did not use the statement against him in the case.

It is a piece of evidence that could also blow up in the Delhi Police’s face, as it would have to explain why it was not used earlier.

Jessica Lall was shot dead in a restaurant on April 29, 1999, and Sharma’s statement was recorded on a CD seven days later. The CD has been presented to the Delhi High Court.

In his confession, Manu Sharma says that hours before Jessica was killed, he arrived in Delhi after attending a wedding in Jaipur. He then called his friends, Vikas Yadav, son of politician D.P. Yadav, and Tony Gill and they decided to go out.

Manu: We reached at about 10.15 at Qutab Colonnade and there were a lot of people there. I went to the counter and asked how much a whiskey bottle is for, he said Rs. 2,400. So I bought a coupon for the same and was trying to get it. Malini Raman was there. There was Jessica Lall there, but I did not know her name. I think Malini said that even if you give thousand bucks, I will not give a sip of wine to drink and I said that we have got an arrangement there. I pulled out my pistol there.

“Then I pointed at Jessica. The idea was generally at that time to shoot in challenge, how embarrassing that she said that even if you give thousand bucks you will not get a sip of my drink.I pointed towards her a little and fired the shot. So I think I hit someone, I was just trying to see what had happened, when this lady comes up there.”

Police: What type of lady?

Manu: Oldish, thin and she says you do not worry and stay here and then I realised something had happened.

Then I could hear people saying somebody has been shot. I knew I should move. I took a lift on a scooter and I saw a little garden and I put my pistol there. I took another hitch from a scooter and then took a hitch from a Tata Safari and I took a hitch from a tractor and after that I reached right in front of Tony’s house. Alok and Vikas were all there at that time. When I inquired, they told me ,“ I think she is dead”. I said single gun shot. He said, “yes”. I said who is she — “Jessica Lall”. I said which hospital. They said we do not know.

“I was slightly more scared. I said where is my car? Then Vikas and Tonny left me and then got the Safari back. I reached in early morning hours and made a couple of calls to our family in Chandigarh.”