Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, May 14 2009:
An alleged member of banned of a Manipur-based militant outfit has been acquitted of charges of indulging in terrorist activities by a Delhi court which upheld the plea that he has been victimised by state agencies.
Khongbanbantabam Brojen Singh, alleged chief of External Affairs Department of People's Liberation Army, was absolved of the charges under stringent Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and other statutes by Additional Sessions Judge J R Aryan.
Singh, a residsent of Imphal in Manipur, claimed he was an activist and had incurred wrath of state agencies as he had earlier got various high-profile officials convicted in a contempt case following his preventive detention in May, 1994 .
"The explanation given by the accused is probable from the material available on record and the defence pleaded by accused is to be given its due weightage," the court said.
The court trashed testimony of an independent witness, who had leased out his premises to the accused, on recovery of a revolver, six live cartidges and other objects, saying the "police might have threatened him by asking him either to depose or face the implication".