Soren fails to appear before court for third time

Jamtara, Feb 9 (UNI) Jailed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Sibu Soren today failed to appear, for the third time, before a local court in connection with the three-decade-old Chirrudih massacre case citing ill health.

Earlier, Mr Soren failed to appear before the court on January 26 and February 3.

Next hearing of the case would be taken up on February 26.

Submitting a medical report of Mr Soren in the court of First District and Session Judge Arun Kumar, Mr Soren's counsel pleaded that his client did not appear because of injury in his leg.

The counsel also requested to grant three weeks time to the JMM president considering which court fixed February 26 as the next date of hearing.

Earlier public prosecutor had wanted to know till when the accused would be presented before the court.

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

UNI