Nanda out of Tihar three months early

Sanjeev Nanda, the 31-year-old businessman, imprisoned since a year after his conviction in the BMW-hit-and-run case walked free on Friday, reports Harish V Nair. SEE GRAPHICS

Sanjeev Nanda, the 31-year-old businessman, imprisoned since a year after his conviction in the BMW-hit-and-run case walked free on Friday.

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Nanda, the grandson of former Navy Chief Admiral SM Nanda, was to spend another three-and-a-half months in captivity. But freedom came earlier than he expected.

The Tihar jail Superintendent grant him remission for his “exemplary conduct” in the jail.

It was an emotional moment when Nanda's father Suresh Nanda, mother Renu, sister Sonali and girl friend Medha received him with tearful eyes.

He stepped out of jail no 4 at 7 pm clad in a green kurta and black pyjama and hugged his family members.

The reunion marked the end of a turbulent and gruelling 10 years of trial after he mowed down six persons, including three policemen with his BMW on Lodhi Road on the foggy dawn of January 10, 1999.

Sudden freedom

The Delhi High Court, on July 20, had reduced his sentence from five years to two years. But he had to spend just four-and-a-half months period in jail after the deduction of a total 19 months he remained imprisoned during the trial and after his conviction for five years by a trial court on September 5, 2008.

Reducing his sentence, the Delhi High Court had held that what he committed was a mere accident and there was no intention to kill.

As per rules, the Jail Superintendent can grant remission to a prisoner.

It is a reward for good behaviour while the prisoner is in custody. A prisoner must have served a total sentence of more than three months to be eligible for remission.