Jamtara, Mar 15 (UNI) A local court, hearing the three-decade-old Chirudih murder case, today issued showcause notice to the Dumka central jail superintendent as to why the medical report of former Coal Minister Sibu Soren was not submitted to the court.

Issuing the showcause notice, Additional District and Sessions Judge (First) Arun Kumar Singh asked the Superintendent under what circumstances the medical report of Mr Soren was not submitted to the court.

The court directed him to be present on the next date of hearing and also to produce the JMM president.

The date for next hearing is fixed on March 24.

Mr Soren was shifted to Dumka Central jail on January five after being brought to Jharkhand.

Earlier, Public Prosecutor A K Mahto pleaded the case was lengthy and the process of recording statement be initiated.

Mr Mahto said the medical report, submitted to the court, did not mention the ailment and the necessary test to be conducted.

Mr Soren, admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in the state capital, was an accused in the Chirudih massacre in which 11 people were killed on Janauary 23, 1975, in this district.

The JMM leader facing life imprisonment in Tihar Jail in New Delhi was brought to the state last year as he was supposed to appear in local courts in Jharkhand.

He was also accused of murder of his private secretary Shashi Nath Jha.

UNI