Amit Jogi acquitted of murder

Raipur: A special court in Raipur yesterday acquitted Amit Jogi, the son of former Chhhatisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi, of involvement in a political murder in June 2003.

The verdict comes as a major relief for the state unit of Congress, especially within the Ajit Jogi camp, which has been under severe criticism for the past four years over the murder.

The court acquitted Amit Jogi, giving him the benefit of doubt. He was the prime suspect in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party state unit treasurer Ramavatar Jaggi. Twenty-eight others were named as co-accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation

Jaggi was shot dead in front of a police station in Maudhapara locality on June 4, 2003.

A large number of Congress supporters who thronged the court premises hailed the judgment as a "victory of justice" while Jaggi's son, Satish, termed the verdict as "surprising".