Kunjabihari killing : 9 witnesses to undergo lie detector tests
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 11 2012: In connection with its investigation into the sensational killing of then Chairman of Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) Dr Naorem Kunjabihari inside his own office room, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought the permission of court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East for conducting polygraphy examination (Lie Detector test) on nine witnesses.

Exactly one year from today, Dr Kunjabihari was found shot dead inside his own office room in the afternoon of January 11, 2011 .

Initially, Imphal Police Station registered a case [FIR no.21 (1)/2011 u/s 302 IPC, 1860 (Act No.45 of 1860), Sections 16/20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention Amendment) Act, 1967 (Act No.37 of 1967 and section 25 (1-B) of the Arms Act, 1959 (Act No.54 of 1959) over the sensational killing.

Later, the government of Manipur roped in the service of CBI to investigate into the case.

Accordingly, CBI, Imphal Branch registered a fresh case vide RCIMPH2011S0003 u/s 302 IPC, sections 16/20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 1967 and section 25(1-B) of the Arms Act, 1959 to start its investigation.

According to a highly placed source, the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case Deputy SP, CBI, SPE, ACB, Imphal LT Salu filed an application before the court of CJM, Imphal West praying for leave of the court for conducting polygraphy examination on nine witnesses, namely former Secretary of BSEM N Kunjamohon Singh, former Director of Education (S) Ng Nabachandra Singh, former Director of State Kala Academy Kh Prakash, Principal of Johnstone Higher Secondary School W Biren Singh, former Controller of Manipur University H Bihari, Deputy Secretary of BSEM S Mangijao Singh, Controller of Examination of BSEM K Birachandra Singh, Under Secretary of BSEM L Mangi Singh and SO of BSEM Y Nageshwor Singh, in connection with the investigation of the case.

In today's hearing, with the exception to Y Nageshwor, the remaining eight witnesses were present in the court and some of the witnesses, who are above 70 years of age, expressed apprehension over possibility of ill-side effects to their health in undergoing the polygraphy test.

The source pointed out that the need for polygraphy test on the nine witnesses has arisen as the statements given by them to the investigating agency are contradictory and doubtful, thus requiring a thorough examination with the help of polygraphic tests for getting any clue/information with regard to the killing of Dr Kunjabihari.

In his application, the IO also made it clear that the nine witnesses, who were either present in the office of the BSEM or in the Board meeting chaired by Dr N Kunjabihari on the day he was killed on January 11, 2011, too have given their consent willingly/voluntarily to undergo the polygraphy test.

Satisfied with the application filed by the IO, CJM Imphal West S Imocha Singh allowed the prayer.

However, the court also took note of the apprehensions expressed by some aged witnesses, and directed that the aged witnesses be medically examined first to determine whether they are medically fit to undergo the polygraphy examination or whether any ill-side effect may be caused in undergoing the said test, the source disclosed.

It may be recalled here that in a written report lodged with the Officer-in-charge of Imphal Police Station in connection with the killing, Secretary of BSEM Lairenlakpam Rajmohon Singh stated that at 11 am of the fateful day of January 11, 2011, 14/15 Board members of BSEM had a meeting with Dr N Kunjabihari, the then Chairman of BSEM, at his office room and the meeting went on till 3.30 pm.

After the meeting, the complainant and other members were having tea at the former's office room when Th Ibomcha Singh (Poen of the office) reported that Dr Kunjabihari Singh was lying unconscious on the floor of his office room.

So, they rushed to the office of the Chairman and quickly evacuated him to RIMS Hospital in one of the office vehicle.

However, on reaching the hospital, they learnt that Dr Kunjabihari was no more and there seemed to be a small hole on the chest of Dr Kunjabihari.

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