Sushil Sharma, who was convicted of killing wife Naina Sahni and burning the body in a tandoor
20 years after he burnt his wife's body in a clay oven on the roof of a Delhi restaurant, former politician Sushil Sharma will leave prison today. Two years ago, his death sentence for killing his wife, Naina Sahni, who he suspected of having an affair with another party worker, was changed to a life term by the Supreme Court.
Mr Sharma, who was a Youth Congress leader when he was arrested, was granted parole today by the Delhi High Court. He has asked for his sentence to be reduced, citing a law that allows a state government to set a prisoner free after serving 14 years in jail. He has said in his appeal that he has already spent 20 years in prison; his request will be decided by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
Till then, the High Court said, he will remain free.
Sushil Sharma has filed an appeal for remission or a reduction in his jail term.
Sharma's wife was shot dead at their home on July 2, 1995 and her body was chopped into pieces and stuffed into a tandoor or open clay oven at a popular restaurant in the heart of Delhi managed by the politician's friend.
Policemen patrolling the area saw thick smoke from the tandoor and found her dismembered half-burnt body. Mr Sharma fled, but was arrested a week later.
Naina Sahni's body was chopped into pieces and stuffed into a tandoor
A trial court and then the High Court ruled that Mr Sharma should hang, but the Supreme Court changed that to a life sentence, observing, "It is not a crime against society but a crime committed due to (Sharma's) strained relationship with his wife."