Naorem Rekha murder case : Police point to husband as prime suspect
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01 2019:
Naorem Dijamani, husband of late Naorem (o) Rekha and father of renowned fashion designer Robert Naorem, has been remanded into 10 days in police custody by CJM Imphal West (in charge JMIC Imphal West II Court) as a prime suspect in the brutal murder case of Rekha.
Naorem Dijamani (67) s/o (L) Basudeva of Singjamei Mathak Thokcom Leikai, was produced before the Court by a team of Imphal West district police along with a prayer for remanding him to police custody for 10 days, till June 10 for proper investigation of the case.
During the hearing, the IO of the case (through the APP) submitted that on May 29, Dijamani lodged a written complaint at Singjamei PS claiming that on the same day, in between 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, his wife, Thokchom Ningol Naorem Ongbi Rekha, was killed by some unknown persons while she was alone at home.
He also mentioned that at the time of the incident, he was at his office at District Consumer Redressal Forum, Sangaiprou.
Soon after the information was received, a team of Singjamei police rushed to the spot and found the dead body lying on the corridor of the first floor inside the house, surrounded by the family members (including Dijamani).
The Forensic Science team arrived and in presence of the Executive Magistrate, conducted inquest of the dead body and its surrounding area and after that, the body was taken to RIMS morgue for post mortem.
Some hair samples, blood stains and a blood stained copper incense stick stand (suspected to be the murder weapon) found at the ground floor below the stair case, were picked up by the State Forensic Expert team.
On the same day, Dijamani was summoned at the police station for giving his statement, the IO mentioned adding that while observing his apparel, blood stain was found on his pant and as such, the pant was seized by preparing formal seizure memo in the presence of seizure witnesses.
During the investigation, four individuals Samolpal (34) s/o (L) Makhan Pal of Shiypur, Cooch Behar, West Bengal (presently staying at Majorkhul), Gudupashawan (37) s/o Kuldip Pashwan of Gram Maniyapur, Bihar and Birendra Sha (49) s/o (L) Jibnarayan Shan of Gram Post Maniyapur, Bihar (both presently staying at Khabam Lamkhai RK Marble godown), who are all engaged in construction work at the residence of the deceased, and one Thanaojam Joy (55) s/o (L) Tombi of Utlou Mayai Leikai, driver of the complainant, were also examined, their statements recorded and their hair samples were collected as well.
The IO continued that the hair samples of Dijamani, Viscount Ahongsangbam (45) s/o (L) Jagatchandra of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai and Ningombam Samananda (24) s/o Nabakumar of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Babu bazaar (presently staying at the residence of the deceased and working at Robert Naorem's saloon at Uripok as a hair stylist) were also collected.
The IO explained that after observing all the facts and circumstances leading to the crime and substantiated by the accounts of the family members and the locality, suspicion began to fall on Dijamani and on closer look of the pant seized by the police from him, it was found that the blood stain was sprinkled and not smeared.
The IO further submitted that Dijamani was also the last person who had seen the deceased alive in the house before leaving for his office while leaving the gate opened, which on any other day would have been closed by the deceased after Dijamani left home.
Moreover the IO explained that while the investigating team was observing the suspected murder weapon (the copper incense stick stand) at the spot where it was found lying, Dijamani had intervened and snatched it away thus rousing suspicion whether it was a deliberate attempt to temper evidence.
The IO also submitted that during examination Dijamani was making many inconsistent statements and had not been able to justify or properly clarify many suspicious circumstances linking him to the crime.
As he appeared to be concealing many facts and circumstances with regard to the incident and as his involvement in the crime was highly suspected, he was arrested yesterday, at around 5.30 pm, the IO added.
On the other hand, during the Court proceeding, Dijamani stood up from the dock and submitted that on the day of incident he was not present at the home as he had left at around 11 am.
The Court heard and went through the case record and satisfied with the police prayer, remanded Naorem Dijamani to police custody till June 10 .
On the other hand, the JAC formed in connection with the case, has announced that the body of Rekha (which is at morgue) will be claimed but her husband, Dijamani, who is the prime suspect of the murder, will be barred from taking part in the last rites of Rekha.
The decisions were taken during a public meeting organised by the JAC at Singjamei Thokchom Leikai today evening.
During the meeting, the JAC resolved to claim Rekha's body and perform her last rites as most of the demands put forth by the JAC have been fulfilled.
However, the prime suspect of the murder, who also happens to be Rekha's husband, Dijamani, will not be allowed to take part in the last rites, the JAC resolved.
The meeting further resolved to banish Dijamani from the locality and pass all his properties to his son.
It can be recalled that the JAC gave an ultimatum of five days to the Government to nab the culprits involved in the murder and Dijamani was taken to police custody by Singjamei PS yesterday.