Delhi High Court acquited former union minister Shibu Soren in Shashi Nath Jha murder case.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday acquitted former Union Minister Shibu Soren in connection with the murder of his private secretary Shashi Nath Jha in 1994 after slamming the CBI for failing "miserably" in getting evidence against the tribal leader.
Setting aside the trial court order, which had sentenced Soren and four others to life term, a Bench of Justice RS Sodhi and HR Malhotra said the CBI had "miserably failed" to prove the case.
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"We set aside the order of the trial court," the Bench said observing that that CBI was not able to prove that the body exhumed was that of Jha.
The Bench also held that "the trial court order is far from convincing".
The 62-year-old tribal leader from Jharkand, who had to quit as Union Coal Minister following his conviction on November 28 last, is at present lodged at Jamtara prison in Jharkhand in connection with Chirudih massacre case.
The court also acquitted four others-- Nand Kishore Mehta, Shailendra Bhattacharya, Pashupati Nath Mehta and Ajay Kumar Mehta-- of all the charges on the same grounds.
The Court said all the convicts should be released forthwith if they are not involved in any other case.
A Delhi trial court had on November 28, 2006 convicted Soren and four others for abduction and murder of Jha. The order on sentencing was pronounced on December 5, 2006.
Jha had gone missing from Dhaula Kuan area of Delhi on May 22, 1994 and was last seen in Ranchi allegedly in the company of Soren's loyalists next day.
Chronology of events in the Shashi Nath Jha murder case
July 1993: Jha comes to know about the alleged deal between the Congress party and JMM Chief Soren to save the then Narasimha Rao Government facing a no-confidence motion.
May 22, 1994: Jha is allegedly abducted by Soren's aide Nand Kishore Mehta alias Nandu and five others from here.
May 24-30, 1994: Nandu, the prime accused, and three others at the behest of tribal leader allegedly kill Jha in jungle near Ranchi in Jharkhand and bury his body.
June 2, 1994: Case registered with the Parliament Street police station on a complaint by victim's brother.
Aug 1, 1996: CBI takes over the probe following a Delhi High Court order on a petition by Jha's mother.
Aug 13, 1996: CBI claims to recover Jha's skeleton from Piska Nagari village in Ranchi.
Jun 19, 1998: CBI arrests Soren in New Delhi.
Nov 10, 1998: CBI files its first chargesheet.
Nov 28, 2006: Soren and four others convicted by ASJ B R Kedia under section 120B (criminal conspiracy), 364 (kidnapping) and 302 (murder) of the IPC. The court, however, acquits two others -- Asish Thakur and Sunil Khaware.
Dec 5, 2006: Trial court awards life imprisonment to JMM chief and four other convicts.
Jan 23,2007: Soren along with others move Delhi High Court challenging trial court's order.
Aug 22, 2007: Delhi High Court acquits Soren and others, holding the trial court order as "far from convincing".
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