Former MLA's Eight-Year Ordeal Ends with Acquittal
In a dramatic turn of events, former Jharia MLA Sanjeev Singh has broken his prolonged silence after being declared innocent in the murder case of his cousin, Neeraj Singh, who served as the former deputy mayor of Dhanbad. The emotional revelation came during his first media interaction following his release from jail after nearly eight years of imprisonment.
The Emotional Burden of False Accusations
Sanjeev Singh described the accusation as the deepest sorrow of his life, expressing profound emotional distress over being named in his cousin's murder case. "The biggest pain of my life has been that my name was linked to the murder of my brother Neeraj," the former legislator revealed. He emotionally recounted their childhood bond, stating they grew up together, played together, and maintained a close relationship throughout their lives.
The former MLA emphasized that it was beyond his imagination that his name would ever be associated with such a tragic incident involving his own family member. Sanjeev described Neeraj's murder as an extremely unfortunate and distressing event that completely shattered him emotionally.
Legal Battle and Demands for CBI Probe
Sanjeev Singh took proactive steps to clear his name, revealing that he himself demanded a CBI inquiry into the case to ensure the truth would emerge. In 2019, he formally approached the court seeking a CBI probe into the murder investigation. The case remained pending in the high court for nearly two years before the court finally sought a response from the state government in 2023.
However, the state government responded that there was no need for a CBI investigation, complicating his pursuit of justice. The legal breakthrough came on August 27 when the lower court of Dhanbad declared Sanjeev innocent in the murder case, ordering his immediate release. Earlier, the Supreme Court had also granted him bail, paving the way for his freedom.
Political Legacy and Future Plans
During his imprisonment in 2019, Sanjeev sent a crucial message through his wife Ragini Singh, who currently serves as the Jharia MLA. He urged her to maintain connections with the public and continue understanding their issues despite political challenges. "Even after losing the election, Ragini continued to work among the people," Sanjeev noted with pride.
He emphasized that their family's political tradition has never been solely about contesting elections but has always focused on social service and helping people. Speaking about his health and political future, the former MLA mentioned that he would decide his next steps only after recovering fully. "Staying in politics itself is a big thing. I have endured a lot in life, but I believe that one day, the truth will prevail," he stated with conviction.
Even after his acquittal, Sanjeev expressed continued bewilderment about why the charges were brought against him initially. His release after nearly eight years marks the end of a long legal battle that tested both his personal resilience and faith in the judicial system.
