Former lohardaga MlA and AJSU leader Kamal Kishor Bhagat on Wednesday surrendered before the fast track court of Additional Judicial Commissioner Krishana Kumar here on Wednesday in pursuance of the directions issued by the Jharkhand High Court.
Bhagat’s newly wedded wife Niru Shanti Bhagat Kujur was also present in the court room during the process but she later came out as she failed to control her emotions. Bhagat has been convicted in a case by the lower court.
The Jharkhand High Court, while final hearing a petition filed by Bhagat against the conviction order, cancelled Bhagat’s bail bond directing him to surrender before the lower court within a fortnight. The High Court, however, had reduced the sentence tenure from seven to five years. .
Both Bhagat and Alster Bodra were found guilty of extortion and attempt to murder in the year 1993, involving renowned neuro-physician Dr KK Sinha on June 23, 2015 resulting into immediate disqualification of Bhagat from the membership of State Assembly.
Bhagat talking to media persons while being taken to the jail also hinted that his political legacy might be carried forward by his wife. “As I told you that this marriage itself was solemnized out of intense pressure from my parents, friends as well as the party workers…. You can now make out what all things are going to happen in the coming days..,” said Bhagat. He, however, said that the decision over his wife’s candidature for lohardaga Assembly seat during the forthcoming Assembly elections will be taken at the party level.
He, however, said that that his political and legal battle will be continued further. “I have surrendered before the court as I respect court’s decision,” he added.
Meanwhile, a special leave petition has already been filed at the Supreme Court where Bhagat is likely to get some relief from. “The case has not been dismissed as such from the High Court, rather it has been partly allowed by setting aside the charge under Section 307 levelled against Bhagat ji,” said his advocate Arvind Kumar Mitra. The other three sections – 387/34, 448/34 and 325/34 of IPC however, were affirmed by the court, reducing the sentence term from seven years to five years, said the advocate.
Bhagat after being made to wait for around half an hour was finally handed over to the police to take him to jail. In the meantime, the corridor outside the court room remained jam-packed by Bhagat’s supporters.
Earlier, Bhagat reached the court premises alongwith his wife and several other party workers at around 2 pm and went directly to the court. Wife Neeru, who was initially sitting inside the court room, came out after she failed to control her emotions while Bhatgat’s bail application was being processed. She, however, accompanied Bhagat till he was taken inside the jail custody and said goodbye by touching his feet.