Jamshedpur Businessman Acquitted in 2012 RS Election Case

RK Agarwal cleared of horse-trading charges after 12-year legal battle

CBI special court finds insufficient evidence in the 2012 Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election bribery case.

RANCHI – A CBI special court has acquitted Jamshedpur businessman RK Agarwal of horse-trading charges related to the 2012 Jharkhand Rajya Sabha elections.

The case against Agarwal, an independent candidate in the 2012 elections, began when the Income Tax Department seized Rs 2.15 crore from his son-in-law.

This money was allegedly intended for bribing MLAs, leading to a CBI investigation and the cancellation of the election by the Election Commission.

The CBI had filed a charge sheet against six individuals, including JMM MLA Sita Soren and Agarwal.

After a protracted legal battle lasting nearly 12 years, the court ruled in favor of Agarwal due to lack of evidence.

The businessman had spent almost a year in jail before being granted bail by the Supreme Court.

Agarwal’s acquittal marks the end of a significant chapter in Jharkhand’s political history.

The case had raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in the state.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

This outcome may have implications for similar cases and electoral practices in the future.

The acquittal highlights the challenges in proving corruption charges in high-profile political cases.