Supreme Court Stays Amit Jogi’s Conviction in 2003 Murder Case

New Delhi- The Supreme Court of India on Thursday stayed the conviction of former Chhattisgarh lawmaker Amit Jogi in the 2003 murder case of political leader Ramavtar Jaggi, raising serious concerns over procedural fairness.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and Vijay Bishnoi questioned how the Chhattisgarh High Court could convict and sentence Jogi without giving him an opportunity to be heard. The court ordered that the “effect and operation” of the High Court’s April 2 judgment would remain stayed.

The High Court had earlier reversed a 2007 trial court verdict that had acquitted Amit Jogi due to lack of evidence. In that trial, while 28 individuals were convicted for the murder, Jogi was cleared of all charges. However, the High Court later termed the acquittal flawed and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The case dates back to June 2003, when Ramavtar Jaggi, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, was murdered. The investigation was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation after dissatisfaction with the initial police probe.

According to the CBI, Jogi and others allegedly conspired to disrupt a political rally, during which Jaggi was targeted. The agency also claimed that a meeting to plan the attack took place prior to the incident.

During Thursday’s hearing, the Supreme Court also issued notices to the CBI and the complainant, while hearing Jogi’s appeal challenging the High Court’s decision.

The stay provides temporary relief to Amit Jogi, who was expected to surrender following the High Court’s conviction order. The matter will now be examined further by the apex court.