Sushil Sharma, the prime accused in the ‘Tandoor murder’ case of his wife Naina Sahani Sharma, walked out of jail yesterday when the Delhi High Court ordered his immediate release.

A former Congress youth leader and Member of Legislative Assembly, Sharma suspected his wife having an extramarital affair. Enraged, he dismembered his wife and then burnt her in a tandoor (clay oven) at Bagia restaurant in Ashok Yatri Niwas; with the help of close aide and restaurant manager, Keshav Kumar.

The unusual and gruesome murder took place on the night of July 02, 1995, which left the nation in disbelief. Behind exposing such horrendous crimes are brave and curious police officers- who track the series of events closely enough to nab the culprit. It is because of cops like Abdul Nazir Kunju that convicts like Sushil Sharma spent 23 years in jail.

Photo: Manorama Online/ Abdul Nazir Kunju

However, they are seldom given the respect and recognition they deserve. Speaking to Times of India, Kunju informed that he was given only Rs 5 as reward for his courageous act. While he grabbed headlines on all media platforms, he now recalls the incident as a nine days’ wonder.

While the restaurant manager tried to fend off Kunju by saying that only old rags were being burnt in the fire; he remained unconvinced with the explanation. He went inside and peeked over the fence to find the burnt torso of Naina in the tandoor.

Kunju alleged that his policing skills, alertness and prompt action weren’t respected by the Delhi police. He took voluntary retirement in 2012 and shifted to Kerala to take care of his ailing mother. The 51 year old retired cop also told TOI that though, he was given an out-of-turn promotion but he was denied all the other benefits that came along with it.

Photo: Manorama Online/ A.N Kunju

He said that he was denied an enhanced salary under the Sixth Pay commission adding that even lower ranked constables who joined after him were being paid more. Despite being the head constable, Kunju said that he was always turned down.

A frustrated and dejected Kunju then took voluntary retirement from his service though, he kept a track of all the court proceedings of the murder case. “I saw the torso and the severed limbs of a human being near the tandoor and there was one person pouring something into it,” he told TOI.

While Sharma and Keshav Kumar even tried to threaten Kunju, he saw a blood-stained plastic bag nearby that had the rest of Naina’s body. The arrival of a police team prevented Kumar from fleeing and a few days later, Sharma was also forced to surrender.

Kunju was also a witness in the case and attended all the court proceedings to make sure that the victim got justice.