SIBU SHIFTED TO Dumka Central Jail

Jamtara, Jan 5 (UNI) Former Union Coal minister Sibu Soren, now serving a life term in Tihar jail for murder of his personal assistant, was today shifted to Dumka jail following a local court order in connection with the three-decade-old Chirudih massacre.

The court had directed to shift the jailed minister at Jamtara jail till the next hearing on January 16 in connection with the Chirudih massacre, but the authorities pleaded that Dumka jail was safe for him. Soren was brought from Tihar jail and shifted to Dumka jail this evening.

District suprintendent of police Madan Mohan Ojha told UNI that Soren was shifted to Dumka due to security reasons.

Mr Ojha said that Soren was sent for Dumka Central Jail after taking permission from Inspector General (Jail) as the Jamtara court had directed to keep him in Jamtara prison.

Mr Ojha said the Jamtara prison had shortage of staff, insufficient rooms as well as inadequate security due to many hardcore criminals now lodged inside the jail.

Earlier, Mr Soren appeared before the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (first) Arun Kumar and was escorted by Delhi Police.

During hearing Soren's counsel Sanjeev Kumar contended that since all the cases involving his client were being taken up at Giridih, Jamtara and few other courts, the former Union Minister be allowed to be kept in any jail of the state.

Incidently, Soren, who was also the chairperson of steering committee formed to look after the functioning of UPA-backed Madhu Koda government in Jharkhand is MP from the Dumka Parliament seat.

UNI