Lifer for prime accused in JMM chief's murder

Lifer for prime accused in JMM chief's murder
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Jamshedpur, Mar 1: Virendra Kumar Singh, prime accused in the killing of founder president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Nirmal Mahato, was sentenced to life imprisonment today.

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First class additional district and session judge S K Murari had on Wednesday convicted Singh while reserving the judgement for today.

Delivering the judgement, the judge said trial of the two other accused would be held separately.

Singh was gunned down on August 8, 1987 when he was coming out of the TISCO guest house alongwith JMM leader Suraj Mandal and senior Congress leader Gyan Ranjan.

A case was lodged in Bistupur police station by Mandal against six persons including Virendra Singh and his two brothers Dhirendra Singh alias Pappu and Narendra Singh alias Pundit. The case was handed over to CBI on November 10, 1987 following a demand by the JMM.

While Virendra was arrested, both Pappu and Pundit were absconding. Pappu surrendered before the court in August last.

Altogether 39 persons including 12 eye-witnesses were examined by the court in the 13-year long trial during which four witnesses passed away.