Chronology: Shivani Bhatnagar murder case
The Delhi High Court today acquited RK Sharma, Sri Bhagwan and Satya Prakash. Pradeep Sharma's sentence is upheld, saying trial court has rightly convicted him of murder.
Following is the chronology of the 1999 Shivani Bhatnagar murder case:
Jan 23, 1999: Indian Express journalist Shivani Bhatnagar murdered at her east Delhi apartment.
July 23, 2002: Police arrest Sri Bhagwan, son of a former Haryana police officer, who had worked under IPS officer RK Sharma.
August 2, 2002: Police raid RK Sharma's residence at Panchkula in Haryana but can't apprehend him. Pradeep Sharma, another alleged conspirator, arrested.
August 6, 2002: Panchkula court rejects RK Sharma's interim bail application.
August 7, 2002: Delhi police release his picture and declare Rs50,000 reward.
August 8, 2002: RK Sharma's wife Madhu alleges involvement of "an influential person", demands CBI probe.
August 12, 2002: Delhi police get forensic report on the handwriting and finger prints of Pradeep Sharma. RK Sharma files bail plea in a Delhi court.
August 13, 2002: RK Sharma's bail plea rejected by a Delhi session's court.
August 15, 2002: Madhu alleges involvement of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan in Shivani's murder. Mahajan refutes allegations and says he shared a purely professional relationship with Shivani.
August 16, 2002: Police give clean chit to Mahajan.
August 17, 2002: Police confirm arrest of co-accused Satya Prakash.
August 18, 2002: Another accused, Ved Prakash Sharma, picked up by police.
August 23, 2002: RK Sharma suspended from service.
September 27, 2002: RK Sharma surrenders in Ambala.
September 28, 2002: RK Sharma sent to police custody.
October 8, 2002: Police claim RK Sharma has confessed killing Shivani. The cop's counsel files contempt application against police.
October 25, 2002: Police file charge sheet in the murder case, charging RK Sharma for her murder and alleged he had given her classified government documents.
January 4, 2003: Case committed for sessions trial.
March 3, 2003: Court frames charges against RK Sharma and other five accused.
March 20, 2003: Trial commences.
January 23, 2005: Case sent to fast-track court.
July 21, 2006: The Supreme Court stays Delhi High Court and trial court order directing police to furnish copy of case diaries to RK Sharma.
October 9, 2007: Prosecution claims Shivani intended to expose RK Sharma for offences under the Official Secrets Act.
November 15, 2007: Prosecution ends arguments.
November 23, 2007: RK Sharma terms telephone call records "fabricated".
December 4, 2007: RK Sharma says his friendly relationship with Shivani was not a "secret affair".
February 29, 2007: Final arguments end.
March 5, 2008: Court reserves its verdict.
March 18, 2008: Court convicts RK Sharma along with three other accused for conspiracy to kill Shivani. Ved Prakash Sharma acquitted.
March 20, 2008: Arguments on quantum of sentence completed. Prosecution seeks death penalty for RK Sharma, Pradeep Sharma. Court reserves order on sentence for March 24.
March 24, 2008: RK Sharma and three others get life term.
December 21, 2010: The Delhi High Court reserves judgment on appeals of RK Sharma, and his co-convicts against their conviction in Shivani's murder case.
October 12, 2011: The Delhi High Court acquits RK Sharma, Sri Bhagwan and Satya Prakash. Pradeep Sharma's sentence is upheld, saying trial court has rightly convicted him of murder.