Rape / murder accused found dead inside jail
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12 2020:
Twenty four years old Sheikh Warish of Lilong Dam Makha, who was remanded in judicial custody just 2 days back in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a 19 year old girl, was found dead in a suspicious manner inside the washroom of Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, sector number 7, today morning.
After necessary inquest of the body, which was found blindfolded with both hands tied from the front, and the site by a team of State Forensic experts, the body was deposited at RIMS morgue for necessary postmortem in the evening.
Speaking to media persons, Sheikh Warish's elder brother, Mulana Habibula, who identified the body of his brother inside the jail premises, said that when police came searching for his younger brother during the early stage of the investigation on January 31, he met the police team as his brother was not in the locality at that time.
He continued that back then he assured the police that he would hand over his brother to the authorities and on the same day, he along with an elder, went to the office of SP Imphal West and handed Sheikh Warish over to the police at around 7.15 pm.
Claiming that he heard the news of his brother's death only after calling the SP office today morning, he lamented that it is very unfortunate on the part of the authorities that the family members were not informed about Sheikh Warish's death on time.
He said that due to the suspicious manner of the death, he along with a village elder, went along with the Executive Magistrate concerned during the inquest of the body, and found that the deceased was hanging, blindfolded and with both hands tied from front.
His feet were also touching the ground, the grieving brother alleged, demanding the State Government to find out how his younger brother died inside the jail.
He also demanded the State Government to find out under whose responsibility was Sheikh Warish kept while in judicial custody.
On the other hand, according to a reliable source, bruises were allegedly found on the back of the deceased by the forensic expert team during the initial inquest.
Heingang police have registered a case regarding the incident.
Mention may be made that Sheikh Warish was arrested on January 31 after his phone number was found in the call history of the female victim's phone.
The girl had many calls to Sheikh Warish on the night of January 27, a day before her lifeless body was found at a canal near Irong Chesaba Achouba Thumukom.
Sheikh Warish was produced before the JMIC Imphal West II on February 1 and then taken into 10 days police custody remand.
He was then remanded in judicial custody
on February 10 .