Chhattisgarh High Court Convicts Ex-CM Ajit Jogi's Son For Murder Of NCP Leader Ram Avtar Jaggi, Imposes Life Sentence

The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday (April 2) convicted former MLA and former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi for the murder of Nationalist Congress Party leader Ram Avtar Jaggi in 2003.A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma noted that he was the "mastermind, principal architect and driving force behind the conspiracy".The court also said that it cannot "sit helplessly as a silent spectator if a party to a case is deliberately trying to adopt dilatory tactics". This, the court said after noting that despite having sufficient time to prepare his case, Jogi had sought adjournments and did not make the slightest effort to commence arguments. Mastermind of conspiracyAfter referring to the material and evidence on record, the Court held:"...from the entire evidence, it is amply clear that Amit Jogi was the mastermind of the entire conspiracy and he was also having the commanding position being the son of the then Chief Minister. He was an influential person to such an extent that he could manage Police authorities to arrange for persons who could forge themselves as the assailants. The transaction of funds, evidence of frequent meetings in Batra House, Hotel Green Park and CM House of the accused persons alongwith Amit Jogi clearly demonstrates that he was aware of all the activities right from the very beginning and the entire offence was orchestrated as per the directions of Amit Jogi."The court noted that Chiman Singh, a long-standing associate of the ex-CM, was summoned by Amit to hatch a criminal conspiracy along with Yahya Dhebar, and Abhay Goyal with the object of disrupting a rally of the NCP in the run-up to the Assembly elections. A part of the conspiracy was hatched at the official residence of the then Chief Minister, the court noted."...Chiman Singh and other accused travelled in a Bolero vehicle driven...armed with bamboo sticks and petrol-filled bottles, they proceeded towards the vicinity of the NCP office at Budhapara, Raipur. The deceased, upon leaving the said office in his Alto car, was followed, intercepted, and forcibly stopped. Thereafter, the accused persons alighted from their respective vehicles and vandalised the vehicle of the deceased. Chiman Singh fired at the deceased, resulting in his death...Following the incident, Amit Jogi instructed Reginald Jeremiah (PW-85), Director of Akash Channel, to travel to Assam and deliver a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- to Chiman Singh," the court noted. 'Dilatory tactics' by accusedWhen the matter was heard for arguments, counsel for CBI, complainant and the State had completed their arguments. Thereafter when the court asked Jogi's counsel about his response, the counsel reiterated that he may be granted four weeks time to reply and again prayed for adjournment of the hearing of the appeal. The Court noted that the previous counsel who was engaged on March 25 was granted full opportunity to prepare the case but later on he withdrew from the case stating that he had no instructions from his client–Amit Jogi and "he had been restrained from filing his Vakalatnama". Thereafter another counsel had appeared on April 01 seeking adjournment on Jogi's behalf. The request was declined however, the Court listed the matter on April 02 to afford an opportunity to Jogi's counsel to prepare the case and make appropriate submissions. However, when he was called upon on April 02, the counsel "did not make slightest of effort to commence his arguments except to say that he needs four weeks time to submit his reply."The conduct of the learned Counsel goes to show that he has been made to appear/stand in these cases only to seek adjournment and stall the proceedings of these cases, by any means for the reasons best known to the accused-respondent No. 1 and his Counsel Mr. Walia. It is difficult to comprehend how a Counsel, appearing on behalf of a party, can abruptly withdraw from the case on the instructions of the client, followed by the appearance of another Counsel who files a Vakalatnama and again seeks an adjournment, especially when the matter has been pending after being remanded by the Apex Court," the Court said.The court noted that another plea seeking adjournment had been filed (IA No. 2/2026)."Such conduct reflects a deliberate effort to delay and obstruct the hearing and progress of the cases for oblique motive. No party to a case should gain by an adjournment. In these circumstances, we find no justifiable ground to grant any further opportunity to Mr. Walia. Accordingly, IA No. 2/2026 is rejected," it said. BackgroundThe court passed the order in CBI's appeal against trial court order which had acquitted Amit Jogi. Another petition had been filed by complainant Satish Jaggi challenging the acquittal order. It was alleged that Jaggi was shot on 04.06.2003 while travelling in his car bearing registration. While the trial court in 2007 convicted other accused persons, however...

Chhattisgarh High Court Convicts Ex-CM Ajit Jogi's Son For Murder Of NCP Leader Ram Avtar Jaggi, Imposes Life Sentence

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Court also deprecated 'deliberate attempt' by accused to delay proceedings despite having sufficient opportunity to prepare.

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