The Congress on Monday insisted that it was unfair to criticise Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for recommending parole to Manu Sharma — convicted in the Jessica Lall murder case — as it was not her decision alone.
“You are absolutely right when you condemn any fraud in parole but you are totally wrong in connecting a Congress Chief Minister to it,” party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said in response to questions on Ms. Sheila Dikshit’s role in granting parole to Manu Sharma. Further, he demanded action if there was any violation of the parole’s established norms.
Defending the Chief Minister, Congress leaders admitted that prima facie there appeared to be a violation of parole norms; not so much because Manu Sharma visited a night club but because the very premise of his application for parole appeared to be fictitious.
He applied for parole on the pretext that his mother was seriously ill but she has since made a public appearance to address a press conference.