BILASPUR – In a major legal reversal nearly 23 years after the crime, the Chhattisgarh High Court has convicted Amit Jogi, son of former Chief Minister late Ajit Jogi, for his involvement in the 2003 murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi.
The division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma set aside Jogi’s 2007 acquittal, directing him to surrender within three weeks.
Key Highlights of the Verdict:
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Overturning Acquittal: The High Court acted on a plea by the CBI, following a Supreme Court directive to reconsider the case despite previous delays. The apex court had noted the “grave nature” of the conspiracy charges involving a political rival.
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Political Fallout: Amit Jogi, president of the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J), criticized the swift 40-minute proceeding, claiming he was not given a fair hearing. He has announced plans to appeal the conviction in the Supreme Court.
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Family’s Long Quest: Satish Jaggi, the victim’s son, welcomed the verdict as a victory for truth, stating that his family’s “20-year-long penance” for justice has finally been vindicated.
Background of the Case
NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi was shot dead in Raipur on June 4, 2003, during the tenure of the Ajit Jogi-led government. While a trial court convicted 28 others in 2007, Amit Jogi was initially acquitted—a decision that remained a point of intense legal and political contention for two decades.
The conviction marks a significant moment in Chhattisgarh’s judicial history, signaling the reopening of one of the state’s most high-profile political murder mysteries.
