By IANS
Ranchi : Former union coal minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren walked free from Dumka jail Saturday after acquittal in a murder case to an effusive welcome by thousands of his supporters.
The Delhi High Court had on Wednesday acquitted Soren in the murder of his personal secretary Shashinath Jha 13 years ago. Soren, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in Jharkhand, had appealed against his conviction.
Thousands of JMM workers were gathered outside Dumka Central Jail to welcome their “Guru-ji”. His supporters threw gulal (coloured powder) on one another, danced to the beat of drums and shouted slogans in his favour.
The senior tribal leader was in jail for nine months. He was brought to Jharkhand in January to be produced in court for the 1975 Chirudih massacre in which 11 people were killed.
“The jail gate opened, and now Guru-ji is a free man,” his supporters shouted.
Talking to media persons, Soren said: “I have full faith in the judiciary. The judiciary will also do justice in the other case (Chirudih massacre).” He said his top priority would be to ensure victory for his party in the Jamshedpur Lok Saba by-election scheduled for Aug 29.
After spending a few hours in Dumka, the JMM chief left for Bokaro where his wife, daughter and other family members stay. He is to leave for Jamshedpur on Sunday to attend rallies to garner support for the party in the by-election.
“Guru-ji should be reinstated as union coal minister,” said state Deputy Chief Minister and JMM leader Sudhir Mahto.
Asked about speculation that Soren might replace Chief Minister Madhu Koda, he said: “It is up to UPA (United Progressive Alliance) leaders to decide. And if the UPA leaders decide then Guru-ji should be made chief minister of Jharkhand.”
The JMM is trying to get political mileage in the Jamshedpur by-election. The poll was necessitated after JMM MP Sunil Mahto was killed by Maoist rebels in March. Soren will campaign for three days in Jamshedpur.