Man who defended Jessica killer dead

RK Naseem, one of Delhi’s most prominent criminal lawyers who appeared in a host of sensational murder cases, died on Monday morning. He had suffered serious injuries after his brother-in-law and former BJP MLA Vinod Sharma and his son Amit, allegedly attacked him on January 24.

Naseem had defended Jessica Lall and Priyadarshini Mattoo’s killers.

Delhi Police officials said following a property dispute, Sharma and his son had allegedly attacked Naseem.

He died at Mata Channan Devi Hospital in west Delhi where he was undergoing treatment since the attack. Sharma, his son and two others were arrested.

According to police, while Sharma hit Naseem on the head with a stick, his son fired at the lawyer. The police have arrested Sharma, his son and two of their workers, Rahul and Neeraj.

“None of Amit’s bullets hit Naseem, but the injury on his head was grave. Naseem had filed a case against Sharma, which may have led to the fight,” said a senior police officer. Naseem had an impressive career. He had defended Sushil Ansal, prime accused in the Uphaar fire tragedy and Santosh Kumar Singh, son of a police officer who was sentenced to death in the Priyadarshini Mattoo rape-cum-murder case.

He had also appeared for IPS officer RK Sharma, main accused in the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case.