AGARTALA, Setember 7 (TIWN): HC convicted Tripura Pradesh Congress President Birajit Sinha on Monday and sentenced to 3 months in jail for violating arms act. According to the reports, he was accused of violating the arms act in a double-murder case which once rocked the whole state. Tripura High Court also declared that within 1 month Sinha has to surrender himself. However after HC’s declaration Congress held a press meet where the whole episode of CPI-M’s allegation against Sinha’s they discussed, and how the incident occurred.

The incident occurred, during a gram panchayat by-poll on July 20, 2004, when a major clash and firing occurred between opposition Congress and ruling CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) supporters at Babur Bazar area in Northern Tripura.

In the firing, two people  died. One of them was CPI-M leader Abdul Hannan and Sinha`s personal security guard Nikhil Deb. Birajit Sinha was a panchayat and rural development minister during that time was carrying a licensed pistol on that day.

As per rule, a licence holder person can bear only 12 cartridge along with him, but Sinha was carrying 17 cartridges.

Then Unokoti Dist. session Court convicted Sinha as guilty and punished him for 3 months’ imprisonment.

But after that being unsatisfied with the decision of court, CPI-M appealed in High Court and alleged that Sinha murdered CPI-M leader Abdul Hannan. However, on Monday HC announced its final verdict, but CPI-M’s allegation has been proven wrong as High Court didn’t find Sinha as guilty for murder.

Sinha’s fault was that he was carrying 17 cartridges, which was against law. As per law, a person can carry maximum 12 cartridges.

“If my security guards didn’t fire, then I would not been alive today. Hence it was my fault that I carried 17 cartridges, instead of 12”, said Sinha to TIWN.

However, talking to TIWN over phone Sinha said, “On that day CPI-M had attacked on me, then a clash occurred due to which my security guards had to shoot in return”.

“However, I am going to Supreme Court further for justice". says Sinha. “Presently I am in Delhi,exploring legal options".

Sinha was accused of carrying additional quantities of cartridges of his pistol too and finally on Monday HC announced 3 months jail for Sinha.

However, 1 month time has been given to Sinhaby High Court, as he is going appeal to Supreme Court.