Amar Singh backs Amarmani

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Wednesday said the Dehradun court sentencing party member Amarmani Tripathi to life in the Madhumita murder case was not the 'ultimate' decision as he can approach higher courts.

"I am simply saying that this is not the ultimate decision. There are many courts left for clarifications as far as Tripathi is concerned and he should be given that opportunity," the party General Secretary said.

"Prior, to that unnecessary media trial is not warranted," he said, when his comments were sought on the Dehradun court order sentencing four persons to life imprisonment for the murder of the poetess with whom Amarmani had a relationship.

Asked whether the verdict would affect the party, Singh said Tripathi was a BSP minister when the murder occurred but it had not affected the image of Mayawati.

"That is why she came to power with a such a thumping majority".

A special court in Dehradun sentenced to life Tripathi, his wife Madhumani, cousin Rohit Chaturvedi and a contract killer Santosh Rai in the high-profile case.