Jessica Lal case: Hostile witnesses given time to file documents

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted more time to the witnesses, who turned hostile in the Jessica Lal murder case and facing perjury charge, to file additional documents.

"Anybody who wishes to file anything can file one week before the next date of hearing," a Division Bench comprising
Justice RS Sodhi and Justice PK Bhasin said while fixing the next date of hearing on July 27.

During the brief hearing the counsel for PS Minocha, a ballistic expert who turned hostile in the case, contended that the Delhi Police should not be heard.

"Prosecution has no locus standi and only we should be heard in the matter," senior advocate KK Sood appearing for
Minocha said.

It was also contended by them that the proceeding against them should not be adjourned till the petition challenging the High Court's verdict in Jessica Lall murder case was not disposed off from the Supreme Court.

However, the Court rejected the contention and fixed the matter for hearing in July.

The Court, while sentencing prime accused Manu Sharma to life imprisonment for killing model Jessica in April 1999, had summoned all the 32 witnesses who had turned hostile in the case.

Those who were summoned include model-turned-actor Shyan Munshi, Andaleeb Sehgal,facing probe in the Iraqi oil-for-food scam, Shiv Dass Yadav, an electrician at Tamarind Court Cafe, ballistic expert Prem Sagar Minocha and Shakar Mukhia, an employee at Manu Sharma's farmhouse at Sambhalkha in Haryana.