Don't allow Soren to become Jh'khand CM: Ex-secretary's family

As Shibu Soren hopes for yet another innings as Jharkhand Chief Minister, the family of his slain ex-secretary today said the JMM chief should not be allowed to take up the job as the appeal against his acquittal in the murder case was pending before the Supreme Court.

As Shibu Soren hopes for yet another innings as Jharkhand Chief Minister, the family of his slain ex-secretary today said the JMM chief should not be allowed to take up the job as the appeal against his acquittal in the murder case was pending before the Supreme Court.

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The family of Shashi Nath Jha, in whose murder Soren was acquitted by the Delhi High Court, said their petition challenging the acquittal has been admitted by the apex court and appealed to political parties to prevent him from becoming the Chief Minister.

The family -- Jha's daughter Preeti and brother Vijay Nath Jha -- in a press conference here also appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene to expedite Jha's murder case and to deliver justice to them.

"We appeal to the Prime Minister to intervene to help us as we fight for justice in the face of threats," Preeti told reporters.

She said though the SC has set March 8, 2010, as the first date of hearing in the case, the delay in justice has enabled Soren to claim the chair of CM again.

"Our petition has been admitted by the apex court... But Soren's becoming CM again will reflect on the condition of our system. People will completely lose faith on our political system," said Jha's friend and co-petitioner Mukesh Baba.

"We appeal to all political parties, including the BJP, which have offered support to Soren's party, to refrain from helping him," he said.