MP BJP leader Kamal Patel acquitted in murder case

In a setback to the Central Bureau of Investigation, former Madhya Pradesh minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kamal Patel was on Wednesday acquitted in the Durgesh Jat murder case.

While acquitting Patel, Additional Session Judge R C Solanki ruled that the trial against remaining nine accused would go on. Patel's lawyer, advocate R K Yadav, said the BJP leader was acquitted of all the charges.

Durgesh Jat was killed under mysterious circumstances following a shootout at a farm house in Harda in March 2008. CBI had charged Patel and his family members with murdering Jat, and later destroying the evidence.

The court has, however, reserved the order on the pleas of Duregsh's father, Ramvilas Jat, to make Patel's wife Rekha and three police officials (who were then at Harda) co-accused in the case, till July 25.

Patel told reporters afterwards that he had full faith in the judiciary, and "justice has been done". The case had been handed over to the CBI on the order of Madhya Pradesh High Court, following a petition filed by Durgesh's father.