Kakwa firing incident: Main accused released on default bail
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2021: Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West today ordered release of Longjam Rakesh, the main accused in the Kakwa Huidrom Leikai firing incident on default bail.

Longjam Rakesh (45), son of Achou of Kakwa Huidrom Leikai has been in judicial custody since March 3 following his arrest on February 27 last in connection with the firing incident which led to the death of one RK Kasper.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West issued the bail order on completion of a statutory period of 180 days as prescribed by the law as the IO concerned of the case had failed to file a charge sheet before the Court.

The counsel of the accused filed the bail application under section 167(2) Cr PC stating that the accused has been in judicial custody for more than 180 days and the investigating agency has not been able to complete the probe within a prescribed time limit.

The counsel thus prayed the Court to release the accused on default bail under section 167(2) CrPC.

The Court on August 26 had called a report from the IO of Singjamei Police to confirm as to whether the charge sheet has been filed or not.

As directed, the IO of the case submitted a status report of the case today and mentioned that the charge sheet has been submitted to the concerned officials and it (charge sheet) was presently at the office of SP Prosecution Manipur.

The IO through the APP, also objected to the prayer of the accused's counsel by submitting that the chargesheet is in the process of filing before the Court within a short period of time and trial is likely to start soon.

The accused needs to be kept in judicial custody for securing his presence during the course of trial, it added.

The Court after hearing counsels of both the parties and on perusal of the material on record, observed that the accused is entitled to be released on default bail by operation of section 167 (2) CrPC.

Hence the Court ordered the release of the accused on bail under section 167 (2) Cr PC on execution of PR bond of Rs 1 lakh with a surety of the same amount and on the condition that he shall not threaten, contact or induce any of the prosecution witnesses.

The Court also ordered that he shall make himself available for interrogation by the IO as and when required, shall not commit any similar offence in the future, shall not leave Manipur without prior permission of the Court till trial is over.

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