HC refuses bail to Soren

The Delhi High Court today dismissed an application for suspension of life sentence awarded to JMM chief and former Union minister Shibu Soren in the murder of his private secretary Shashi Nath Jha, while acknowledging CBI8217;s version that the factum of existence of numerous criminal cases against him reflects a 8220;streak of criminality8221;.

8220;The appellant Soren, as per CBI, is already undergoing prosecution and trial in numerous cases, including cases under section 302 IPC murder, the factum of existence of these trials, which the Additional Solicitor General ASG Amarendra Sharan urges as being demonstrative of a streak of criminality, cannot be brushed aside,8221; a Bench led by Justice Manmohan Sarin held. Even while observing that 8220;human liberty is sacrosanct8221;, the Court held that it could not overlook the fact that Soren was sentenced as late as December 2006 after facing an elaborate trial. 8220;There are no special or exceptional circumstances warranting suspension of sentence at this stage,8221; the Court said.

Sen had contended before the court that 16 criminal cases pending against Soren was reason enough not to grant him suspension of sentence. There were no reasons for suspension of sentence at this stage, when he had barely undergone imprisonment for three months after a full-fledged trial, the ASG said today. Meanwhile, the Court in a move to expedite the hearing of the appeal, has directed the CBI to prepare its arguments within 15 days. The next hearing is due on April 5, 2007.