At a loss for words: Jethmalani is left speechless for once

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court verdict convicting main accused Manu Sharma and co-accused Vikas Yadav and Amardeep Gill in the Jessica Lall murder case has silenced noted criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani. Immediately after the high court verdict, when Jethmalani was contacted for his reaction, he refused to comment. The former Union Law Minister had shocked the nation by deciding to defend Manu Sharma in the case and by floating the theory that it was a "tall Sikh gentleman" who had shot the model dead.

"There is no evidence. Why has the judge acquitted? You wait and see the judicial verdict," Jethmalani had said before.

Refuting the prosecution's theory that Manu Sharma shot Jessica because she refused him a drink, Jethmalani had also cited a new theory, saying: "It's more an offence of jealousy where your sexual manhood is challenged. Jessica wasn't murdered for denying something she did not have (liquor), but for denying something she had."

Earlier, Jethmalani's petition for transferring the case had been turned down by Justices Sodhi and Bhasin. Jethmalani had argued that every accused deserves a free trial and to ensure that Manu gets one too, he had decided to fight for him both inside and outside the courtroom.