‘The Sentinel’ Editor gets 1-month jail

Kamrup district first class magistrate court on Thursday sentenced Editor of The Sentinel (English daily) Bikash Sarma to 1 month imprisonment for carrying allegations against Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the English daily.

The case has been running in the magistrate court since 2010.

On June 19, 2010 – The English daily published a report quoting KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi's statement that "R H Khan gifted a luxurious car to Himanta Biswa". Khan was allegedly involved in the multi-crore scam of NC Hills Autonomous Council.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, senior advocate Debajit Saikia told that the case was registered against Editor Bikash Sarma, Associate Editor Ram Lal Sinha, KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi and Omega printers; though court granted bail for Associate Editor Ram Lal Sinha and KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.

"Bikash Sarma has been fined with an amount of Rs 5000" : advocate Saikia added.