Shibu Soren sentenced to life imprisonment

Shibu Soren, former Union Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief, was today sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case after CBI made a strong plea for awarding him capital punishment.

The 62-year-old tribal leader from Jharkhand, who was forced to quit as Coal Minister in the Manmohan Singh Government last week on his conviction, was also fined a sum of Rs 5 lakh,  which would go to the mother and two daughters of the victim, Shashinath Jha. He was killed 12 years ago.

"Convict Shibu Soren is awarded life imprisonment for hatching a conspiracy to kidnap the victim and later killing him with the help of other convicts," Additional Sessions Judge B R Kedia said in his order as Soren's supporters shouted slogans outside the court.

A sixth-time member of Lok Sabha, Guruji, as Soren is called by his supporters, can retain his membership of the House if he goes in appeal against his conviction and sentence for which he has three months time.

Four others convicted in the case were also awarded life sentence by Additional Sessions Judge B R Kedia who imposed a lesser fine of Rs 15,000 each.