Ex-Minister Anosh Ekka convicted in murder case

A Simdega court today convicted Kolebira MLA Anosh Ekka in connection with the murder case of one Para Teacher Manoj Kumar Lasiya. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence to the former Minister in the Madhu Koda Government on July 3.

Defence Counsel Shamim Akhtar said the court had found his client guilty under Sections 364, 302 and 201 of Indian Penal Code and also under Section 27 of Arms Act. He said that the court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on July 3.

Ekka was arrested by the Simdega police in November 2014 after Lasiya’s body was found in jungles near Kolebira of Simdega and since then he has been lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi.

Lasiya had earlier complained against Anosh saying that he might be killed by Anosh’s men.

The victim had been kidnapped by two motorcycle-borne persons from a school in Kolebira block on November 26, 2014. Later, his body was found in a nearby jungle. Before his murder, Lasiya had given a memorandum to then CM’s office seeking protection and had alleged that Anosh was threatening to kill him.

Later, after the death of Lasiya, his brother had lodged an FIR against Anosh and PLFI area commander Barood Gope for the killing.

Lasiya, an ad-hoc teacher working in a Government school had joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha after leaving Anosh Ekka headed Jharkhand party. And, later he was said to be threatened by Anosh and his men.

The Kolebira MLA has also been charged of disrupting poll campaigns and amassing assets during his stint as Minister during the Madhu Koda regime.

He is said to have the support of banned extremist group PLFI and has remained in jail in a DA case lodged by Enforcement Directorate.