AJSU MlA Kamal Kishore Bhagat, along with one of his associates Alester Bodra, has been held guilty by a court in a case of extortion and attempt to murder, which dragged by 22 years.
The AJSU happens to be a coalition partner of the ruling BJP in Jharkhand.
The FIR in this case had been lodged against them on September 28, 1993 at Sadar Police Station by renowned neuro-physician KK Sinha. Decision over the quantum of punishment will take place on Tuesday by the court.
“A fast-track court of Additional Judicial Commissioner III Krishna Kumar, finding them guilty under Sections 387, 448 and 307 of Indian Penal Code convicted both Bhagat and Bodra, who were sent to judicial custody till Tuesday. Argument over the period of their sentencing will take place on Tuesday,” said Additional Public Prosecutor AK Mishra. Bhagat was also charged with firing from his pistol during a scuffle with the doctor, he said.
According to Mishra, both Bhagat and Bodra have been charged with demanding extortion from Sinha. When the doctor denied paying the extortion money, they attacked him from the butt of his pistol, leaving him with a deep scar on lips and broken hand, he said.
Bhagat, who had been re-elected from lohardaga in the last Assembly elections, might face disqualification if the quantum of jail term exceeds two years.
According to lawyers, the provisions under which Bhagat has been convicted could land him a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment with fine.
“Section 387, imposed for putting or attempting to put a person in fear of death or grievous hurt in order to commit extortion, is liable for a seven-year of imprisonment,” said Advocate Prabhat Kumar. While Section 448, imposed for house trespassing, amounts to one year of imprisonment, he said.
“Similarly, Section 307, for attempting to murder, also amounts to a maximum of seven years of imprisonment,” said Kumar.
Recalling the case, Mishra added that the two men forcefully entered the place where Sinha, along with other persons, was discussing over MRI report of one of his patients. As soon as they left the chamber, Bhagat and Bodra occupied the chairs kept in front of Sinha and demanded donations for holding a rally of AJSU in Patna, he said.
When Sinha refused to pay any donation or extortion to them, they attacked him with the butt of a revolver leaving him injured badly. Sinha’s lips got a scar on lips and one of his hands was broken following which, he was taken to nearby Alam Nursing Home where his lips were stitched and bandage was put on his hand.
One of their aides named Sudarshan Bhagat, however, was beaten to death by the patients and the staff present at the clinic.
Sinha, after getting medical assistance, then went to Sadar Police Station and registered an FIR in this regard initiating the case against the two. Five witnesses - KK Singh, Dr Sarkar, Dr KK Sinha, Naval Kishore Singh and Investigating Officer in the case Mahendra Singh were interrogated during the trial.
The police, following the incident, had also recovered one country-made pistol, two 12 bore cartridges, one live bullet and another pistol with empty bullet in it from Bhagat. An Ambassador car had also been recovered from their possession.