New Delhi, July 21: Former Youth Congress leader and prime accused in the Tandoor murder case Sushil Sharma today applied for bail before a city court hearing the matter saying he wanted to consult his counsel to prepare for his defence. Pointing out that he has been in jail for over eight years, Sharma told Additional Sessions Judge G P Thareja that he was ready to comply with any condition which the court wanted to impose on him - like attending the day-to-day proceedings - if he was granted bail.

Sharma is facing charges of murdering his wife Naina Sahni. Police had recovered parts of the burnt body of Sahni from the Tandoor at Baghiya restaurant in Ashok Yatri Nivas here on the intervening night of July 2/3, 1995. Meanwhile, proceedings could not be held today as Special Public Prosecutor A P Ahluwalia (69) was unable to reach the court as he injured his legs after a fall in the bathroom.

The court adjourned the matter for tomorrow.

Earlier, a proxy counsel moved an application on behalf of Ahluwalia. But the court said "doubting if such representation can be made by proxy counsel, the matter was brought to the notice of the director of prosecution as it was felt that the state can be represented only by public prosecutor." "Therefore, public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan has appeared to represent the state on behalf of Ahluwalia. Since there is a request on his (Mohan's) behalf, the matter has been listed for tomorrow," the court said.

On July 17, the court had flayed the prosecutor for leaving "loopholes" in the probe and arguing as if it were siding with the accused. The court had expressed strong displeasure over half-hearted efforts made by Ahluwalia.