The Chhattisgarh High Court has convicted Amit Jogi, son of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, in the murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi. He was found guilty nearly 23 years after the murder and directed to surrender within three weeks.
The verdict overturns a 2007 trial court judgment that had acquitted Amit Jogi in the case.
HC Reopens Case After Supreme Court Direction
The High Court had reopened proceedings in the 2003 murder case last month following directions from the Supreme Court of India on an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
In November last year, the apex court observed that while there was a delay in the CBI’s plea, the charges against Amit Jogi were “very grave,” involving a conspiracy to murder a rival political leader.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma set aside the acquittal and convicted Jogi.
Amit Jogi Alleges ‘Injustice’
Reacting to the verdict, Amit Jogi termed the decision unjust, claiming he was not given an opportunity to be heard.
In a post on X, he said the High Court accepted the CBI’s appeal “in just 40 minutes” without allowing him to present his case.
“I regret that a person who had been acquitted by a court has now been declared guilty without even a single chance for a hearing. This has never happened before,” he said, adding that he has faith in the judiciary and will approach the Supreme Court.
Victim’s Family Welcomes Verdict
On the other hand, Satish Jaggi, son of the slain leader, welcomed the judgment, calling it a victory for truth.
“Today is Hanuman Jayanti. I bow before Lord Hanuman. My family’s 20-year-long penance has borne fruit. My faith in the judiciary has been vindicated,” he said.
He added that while the family continues to grieve their loss, justice has finally been served.
Case Background
Ramavatar Jaggi was shot dead in Raipur on June 4, 2003, when Ajit Jogi was serving as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He was a close aide of then state NCP chief V. C. Shukla.
The case was initially probed by state police before being handed over to the CBI, which filed charges against several accused, including Amit Jogi.
In 2007, a Raipur trial court convicted 28 accused but acquitted Amit Jogi. Subsequent appeals by the CBI, the state government, and the victim’s family were dismissed by the High Court in 2011 on grounds of delay.
However, the Supreme Court later directed the High Court to reconsider the matter, stating that a more “liberal and pragmatic approach” should have been adopted in examining the CBI’s plea.
