Sibu appears in Jharkhand court

Giridih, Jan 24 (UNI) Former Union Coal Minister Sibu Soren, now serving life imprisonment for the murder of his personal assistant Shashinath Jha, today appeared before a local court in connection with another case.

The jailed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president this morning appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge (First) Radha Mohan Tiwary in connection with a 23-year-old case of killing of three persons at Kudko village under Peertand police station in this district.

After hearing the pleader's argument, the court fixed March 23 for the next hearing.

Today the procedure of witnesses was to take place. The public prosecutor contendend that many of the witnesses were dead and requested the court to verify the matter again.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda had said that any decision over withdrawing facilities of an ex-chief minister to the incarcerated JMM chief will be taken according to rules.

Mr Koda said Soren was not only a former chief minister but also a former union minister. Therefore, any decision regarding withdrawing the facilities would be taken after going through rules and regulations.

The JMM leader, now serving life term in Delhi's Tihar jail for murdering his personal assistant, was shifted to Dumka Central Jail after being produced before a Jamtara court on January 5 in connection with the three-decade-old Chirudih massacre.

As a former chief minister, Soren was given the facility of a government residence and a vehicle, two personal secretaries and a telephone.

UNI