Chhattisgarh HC Convicts Amit Jogi in 2003 Ramavatar Jaggi Murder Case; Ordered to Surrender

April 2, 2026 : In a landmark legal turn of events, the Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday (April 2, 2026) convicted Amit Jogi, son of the state’s first Chief Minister, the late Ajit Jogi, for his involvement in the 2003 murder of NCP leader Ramavatar Jaggi. The court has directed Amit Jogi to surrender within three weeks. The verdict, delivered by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma, sets aside Jogi’s 2007 acquittal and marks a significant moment in a case that has spanned over two decades.

A Case 23 Years in the Making

The case dates back to June 4, 2003, when Ramavatar Jaggi, then treasurer of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a close aide to veteran leader Vidya Charan Shukla, was shot dead in Raipur. At the time, Ajit Jogi was the sitting Chief Minister leading the state’s first Congress government.

The murder, occurring just months before the state’s Assembly elections, triggered a massive political storm. Allegations surfaced that the killing was a conspiracy to weaken the NCP’s influence in the new state.

The Legal Timeline

• 2005: The CBI arrested Amit Jogi in New Delhi, alleging he was the mastermind behind the conspiracy.
• 2007: A special CBI court convicted 28 people, sentencing them to life imprisonment. However, Amit Jogi was acquitted after being given the “benefit of doubt.”
• 2011: The CBI challenged the acquittal in the High Court, but the petition was dismissed due to a delay in filing.
• November 2025: Following a long-standing appeal, the Supreme Court condoned the 1,373-day delay by the CBI and referred the matter back to the High Court to be decided strictly on merit.
• April 2, 2026: The High Court finds Jogi guilty, overturning the previous acquittal.

Reacting to the Verdict

Following the court’s order, Amit Jogi took to social media to express his shock, claiming the proceedings were rushed.

“Today, the Honorable High Court accepted the CBI’s appeal against me in just 40 minutes, without granting me an opportunity for a hearing. It is deeply regrettable that a person previously acquitted has now been declared guilty without a single chance to be heard. I have full faith that I will receive justice from the Supreme Court.”

— Amit Jogi via X (formerly Twitter)

Conversely, the victim’s son, Satish Jaggi, who has spearheaded the legal battle for 23 years, hailed the decision as a victory for the judiciary.

“My family’s 20-year penance has borne fruit today. My faith in the court and my belief that truth would triumph has been upheld. While we cannot truly rejoice as I lost my father, justice has finally been served,” Satish Jaggi told reporters.

What Happens Next?

With the High Court’s directive, Amit Jogi has a three-week window to surrender to the authorities. His legal team is expected to move the Supreme Court immediately to seek a stay on the conviction and the surrender order.