Former Tripura Congress President Birajit Sinha was today acquitted in a murder case but was sentenced to two-and-a-half months jail for carrying illegal cartridges.
MLA Sinha and six Congress activists were acquitted in a case of murder by the court of District and Session Judge (Unakoti) Gautam Debnath.
The judge, however, sentenced Sinha two-and-a-half-months imprisonment for carrying five extra cartridges of a revolver along with the twelve permitted.
In an incident of clash between the activists of ruling CPI-M and opposition Congress during a bye-election of a panchayat on July 20, 2004 at Babur Bazar near here, the personal body guard of Sinha and CPI-M activist Abdul Hannan, son of CPI-M leader Abdul Rahaman, were killed.
Sinha and Rahaman both filed a case of murder against each other. The ex-Congress chief was later granted bail on a plea to the High Court.
While giving the order for imprisonment, the judge said Sinha was carrying his licensed revolver and 17 cartridges, but he was supposed to carry only 12 cartridges.
On application by his advocate, Sinha was permitted bail for appealing in a higher court.
On the other hand, Rahaman was given two-and-half years imprisonment on the charge of attempt to murder, but nine of his accomplices were freed unconditionally.
On filing application for bail by Rahaman's advocate, he was also given bail for appealing in higher court.
