MP: CBI files chargesheet against BJP MLA

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Madhya Pradesh Revenue Minister Kamal Patel and eight others have been named in a chargesheet filed in Indore under different Sections of IPC and Arms Act for their alleged involvement in 2008 Durgesh Jaat murder case.

The chargesheet, filed in the special CBI court in Indore on Thursday, names former Revenue Minister Patel and his two sons Sandeep and Sudeep Patel among others. Patel, MLA from Harda constituency, was arrested on May 20 for allegedly destroying evidence related to the murder of Durgesh Jat at the farm house of Congress leader Rajendra Patel at Dev Talab village under Harda district. Jat was reportedly murdered on March 5, 2008.

"A Habeas Corpus petition was filed by Ram Vilas Jat father of victim for the production of his son Durgesh from the illegal custody of former Revenue Minister of Madhya Pradesh Government," a CBI spokesperson said.

"A prayer was also made that if Durgesh is reported to have died then the circumstances which led to his disappearance and death be directed to be investigated by CBI," the spokesperson said.

Hearing the petition, Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Special Crime Branch of CBI, Lucknow to register two cases. Accordingly, one case under different Sections of IPC was registered which related to the matter of house trespass and firing which took place at the residence of the complainant at village Dev Talab.

While second case was related to the death of Durgesh Jaat and disposal or disappearance of his dead body and destruction of evidence to conceal the crime. The investigation revealed that in the night of March 5, 2008, five persons including son of former Minister and deceased Durgesh Jat visited the residence of one Rajendra Patel situated at Village Devtalab Harda by Tavera vehicle.

"They forcibly entered his house by breaking open the main gate and fired at him. In retaliatory fire by the complainant, Durgesh Jat was critically injured. However, instead of being provided any medical aid, he was brought to the Government Bungalow of former Minister. "...Jat died subsequently and his dead body was disposed of at an unknown location by the accused persons. The dead body of Durgesh Jat could not be traced," the official said.