Jogi discharged from NCP leader's murder case

Raipur, Mar 1 (UNI) A Sessions Court today discharged senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi from the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ram Avatar Jaggi in 2003.

Additional District and Sessions Judge B L Tidke passed the order discharging Mr Jogi from the charges levelled against him in a private complaint filed by Mr Satish Jaggi, son of NCP leader who was shot dead in the state capital.

''The court has discharged Mr Jogi as there has been no prima facie case against him'', former chief minister's counsel Hashim Khan told UNI after the court pronounced its order.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had investigated the case earlier, had filed charge-sheet against 31 people, including Mr Jogi's son, Amit, charging them with criminal conspiracy and murder of Mr Jaggi in June 2003. However, the trial court acquitted Mr Amit Jogi but convicted all others, including three police officers.

Subsequently, the slain NCP leader's son Satish Jaggi filed a private complaint in the court, praying to array Mr Jogi as an accused in the murder case. Later, the court issued warrant against Mr Ajit Jogi, who was arrested by the police. Later, he got bail from the court.

Reacting to his discharge from the murder charge, Mr Ajit Jogi told UNI that the order has once again repose his faith in the judiciary.

''The case against me was politically motivated. It was a conspiracy. Everyone knew who all were involved in the conspiracy against me'', he added.

Mr Jogi said the CBI, which had investigated the case, did not file any charges against him. ''Its was a private complaint filed without any substance'', he added.

UNI JJ GT HT1609