Court to pronounce sentence of Soren on Dec 5

New Delhi, Dec 1: A city court today adjourned till December 5 pronouncing of sentence of former Coal Minister Shibu Soren for the murder of his personal assistant Shashinath Jha, as he was not present during the proceedings.

Soren is admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, after he complained of heart ailment soon after his conviction on November 28.

Argument on the point of sentencing could not be heard due to the absence of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, though a fax stating that his condition was ''clinically stable'' and ''no complaint of chest pain'' was received by the court.

Responding to this, the court said from this (fax) it does not appear that his condition is so bad and that he could not be brought to the court. The same reflects that something is missing in between.

''However, in the interest of justice, the court adjourns the matter till December 5, 1400 hrs,'' the judge said while directing the AIIMS Director to ensure that he was produced on Tuesday.

The JMM leader was held guilty, along with four others, of the murder of his personal assistant Shashinath Jha, prompting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek his resignation from the Union Cabinet.

Immediately after this, Soren was rushed to AIIMS after he complained of heart ailment.

UNI

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