Saturday, February 25 2006 14:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Law Minister H R Bhraradwaj today (Feb 25 2006) refused to comment on the Jessica Lal murder case in which all nine accused were acquited this week and instead suggested that it was for the Union Home Ministry to examine the matter.

"I do not want to comment on the issue. It is for the Home Ministry to take any decision in this regard," Bharadwaj told sources when asked for his views on the way Delhi police conducted investigations into the murder, which has been squarely blamed for the prosecution's failure.

Asked whether his ministry would suggest any amendments to the criminal Law for invoking punitive action against witnesses turning hostile during the trial, the Minister said that it was again something which the Home Ministry should ponder over.

"Kindly do not involve me in this matter, because I do not want to make any comment," was all that the Union Minister would say to questions on the issue.

All the nine accused, including Manu Sharma, son of Haryana Excise Minister Vinod Verma and Vikas Yadav son of UP strongman D P Yadav charged with the murder of model Jessica Lal at a hotel in the capital in April 1999, were acquitted by trial court recently.

The acquittal granted by Additional Sessions Judge S L Bhayana on February 21 on the ground that the police failed to adduce sufficient evidence in the case has evoked all round condemnation from civil society groups, women's organization and the general public.

However, a division bench of the Delhi High Court taking suo motu cognizance of news reports on the acquittal has sought an explanation from the City Police Commissioner K K Paul and posted it for hearing on April 19.