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Jaggi case: SC issues notices to CBI, Amit Jogi
The SC has issued notices to CBI and Amit Jogi, the main accused in NCP leader Ram Avatar Jaggi murder case.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended its earlier order directing a special judge at Raipur, trying NCP leader Ram Avatar Jaggi murder case in which former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi is the main accused, not to pronounce the judgment till January 12.
A bench headed by Justice KG Balakrishnan also issued notices to the CBI, Amit Jogi and Chhattisgarh government on a petition filed by Jaggi's son Satish Jaggi seeking transfer of the case to another judge.
Satish Jaggi sought transfer of the case on the ground that the judge holding the trial in Raipur is a relative of a Congress leader who is close to the Jogi family.
The petition challenged the Chhattisgarh High Court order declining to transfer the trial of the case.
The apex court said that on the law point, the High Court was correct but at the same time it also observed that "if we ask the trial to be shifted on the ground that the judge is a relative of a Congress MLA, it would be embarrassment for the judge."
Earlier, lawyer Arun Jaitley, appearing for Satish Jaggi, said early hearing of the matter was necessary as the Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the completion of the trial by the end of the month.
He said there was genuine apprehension that the victim's family will not get justice as sessions judge Saman Singh, who is conducting the trial, is the brother of Congress MLA Gulab Singh, a close acquaintance of Ajit Jogi.
Amit Jogi has been chargesheeted by the CBI for allegedly entering into a criminal conspiracy and financing the murder of Jaggi, a treasurer of state unit of NCP who was shot dead on June 4, 2003.
