A Ranchi court on Tuesday awarded one-year imprisonment to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MlA Amit Mahto along with his eight supporters. Mahto and his accomplices were convicted after being found guilty by the Court of Judicial Magistrate Arvind Kumar for causing obstruction in Government work and illegal gathering on Ranchi-Purulia Road at Varvadag village on January 23, 2010.
The Silli legislator, along with his supporters, was later released on bail after submitting a bail bond of Rs 2,000 each for appealing in Jharkhand High Court. The court after being convinced by the prosecution after a long argument awarded one-year imprisonment to each of the accused persons.
Mahto was held guilty under Sections 143,353,149 and 283 of IPC. FIR in the case was lodged against 12 people but the police later filed chargesheet against only nine people.
The matter relates to a road blockade organised by Mahto and his supporters on January 23, 2010 for the release of one Mahipal Singh arrested by Angara police. later the officer in-charge of Angara Thana registered a case against them on the basis of which they were held guilty by the court. Other convicts in the case are Satish Kumar, Saraswati Devi, Shishpal Mahto, Rameshwar Mahto, Ganesh Bedia, Sanjay Ganjhu, Rajesh Verma and Shishir Kumar Mahto.