Imphal, December 02 2009: The Gauhati High Court has directed the District and Session Judge, Manipur East to conduct an inquiry into the killing Longjam Uttamkumar of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak.

Uttamkumar was shot dead by police commandos in the courtyard of his own house on March 29 last year.

Police claimed that he was killed in an encounter.

Contending the police claim, Longjam Shanti alias Boyai, father of late Uttamkumar filed a writ petition in the Gauhati High Court.

In the writ petition filed against Chief Secretary, DGP, SP Imphal West and OC Imphal Police Station, Shanti stated that his son Uttamkumar was an innocent person working in a private business firm after completing his diploma in civil engineering and he was shot dead in the courtyard of the house by police commandos in civvies who on motor bikes.

Even if his son was guilty, he should have been taken into custody and conducted trial in accordance to the law of the land.

Asserting that his son was killed in a fake encounter, Shanti pleaded for punishment of the guilty police commandos and paying necessary compensation for the loss of his son.

In the counter affidavit of the police, it was claimed that Uttamkumar was killed in an encounter and cash, weapon, scooter and mobile phone have been recovered from his possession.

The hearing of the writ petition was taken up by the Single bench of Justice K Meruno of Gauhati High Court today.

Advocate Khaidem Mani appeared on behalf of the petitioner while Advocate K Aleng Vashum on behalf of the respondents.

After listening to both the sides, the court directed the District and Session Judge, Manipur East to conduct an inquiry to find out the true of the matter.

Both the petitioner and the respondents have also been directed to appear before the court of the District and Session Judge for recording their statements on December 21 .

The inquiry is to be completed within six months.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at his residence here this evening, counsel of the petitioner Advocate Khaidem Mani said the case of Uttamkumar is among the cases of killing in fake encounters being taken up by him as a human rights defender.

Such cases cannot be fought just by forming Joint Action Committee.

Legal assistance if fake encounters are to be stopped.

However, there is also no guarantee that every cases fought in the court would be successful.