Tandoor murder case: A timeline

The Tandoor murder case which shook the nation two decades ago was highlighted again on Friday after the Delhi High Court ordered the immediate release of convict Sushil Kumar.

The former youth Congress leader was sentenced to death by a lower court in 2003. His death sentence was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2007. In 2013 the sentence was relegated due to lack of evidence.

Sharma killed his wife Naina Sahni in 1995 after accusing her of indulging in an affair. He then allegedly cut her body into pieces and tried to burn it in a tandoor.
Following is the chronology of events in the Tandoor murder case.

-July 2, 1995: Police recover burnt body of Naina Sahni from Baghiya restaurant in Ashok Yatri Niwas (now Sanghrila hotel). Arrests restaurant manager Keshav Kumar.

-July 10: Police arrest Sushil Kumar Sharma in Bangalore.

-July 27: Police files chargesheet.

-May 9, 1996: Trial court frames charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence against five people.

-November 3: Court convicts Sharma.

-November 7: Sharma sentenced to death, restaurant manager Keshav gets seven years rigorous imprisonment.

-December 2003: Sharma moves Delhi High Court challenging trial court judgement.

-August, 2006: High Court fixes hearing on day-to-day basis.

-February 19, 2007: High Court upholds death sentence of Sharma.

-October 8, 20132013: Supreme Court commutes to life imprisonment the death penalty of Sharma.

-December 21, 2018: High Court orders "forthwith" release of Sharma.

(With inputs from agencies)