Soren fails again to appear in court in Chirrudih massacre case

Jamtara, Jharkhand, Feb 3 (UNI) Jailed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president and former Coal Minister Sibu Soren today failed to appear before a local court in connection with the three-decade-old Chirrudih massacre case citing ill health.

The next hearing of the case is on February 9.

In Soren's defence, his lawyer told the court of First District and Sessions Judge Arun Kumar that his client was suffering from swelling on legs and doctors attending on him advised rest.

Public prosecutor contended that as the accused could not be produced due to poor health hence his hearing should be taken separately to avoid further delay.

Soren was supposed to be produced before the court on January 16 in the same case but he could no appear on health grounds.

The former minister serving life imprisonment in Tihar jail for the murder of his personal assistant Shashinath Jha was brought here in connection with the three-decade-old Chirrudih massacre in which 11 people were killed.

UNI