Court acquits Rifleman in connection with 2nd MR arms missing case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2018:
Special Court NIA ordered the release Riflemen Narayan Chettry (44) s/o Man Bahadur Chettry of Bhimpokara Ward No 6, Nepal, who is lodged in judicial custody in connection with the arms missing case from 2nd Manipur Rifle arms kote.
It may be mentioned that the acquitted Narayan Chettry was first arrested by the State police before being formally arrested by the NIA as he was allegedly the custodian of the arms kote of 2nd Manipur Rifles from where 56 small arms were found missing in April last year.
According to a reliable source, NIA filed an application before the Court stating that during their investigation no concrete evidence was found against Narayan Chettry for his alleged involvement in the arms missing case and prayed for acquitting Narayan Chettry from the case.
The Court, after hearing the prayer of the NIA, passed an order to release Narayan Chettry from judicial custody.
A press release issued by the NIA stated that on September 25, the first charge sheet of the arms and ammunition missing case from 2nd MR Arms Kote was submitted against 8 accused, out of 12, who are presently lodge in judicial custody.
The charge sheet was submitted against Laishram Anilkumar, Thokchom James alias Tonao, Paonam Shantikumar, Haobam Brojendro, Ngamboi Haokip alias Raju, Nellikattil Podiyan Damodaran, Mathrabashimayum Hiranjoy Sharma alias Ngoubi, Laishram Damudor alias Thembung under different sections of the IPC.
Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip, his driver Thokcom' Diamond, KRA Chief David Hangsing and the acquitted Narayan Chettry were not listed in the charge sheet submitted by the NIA before the Court and it mentioned that further investigation was underway against those allegedly involved in the crime and also regarding the involvement of the other accused persons/militants groups in the case.
It may be also be mentioned that during the investigation NIA had recovered 9 mm pistols and 5 magazines which were among those which went missing from 2nd Manipur Rifle arms kote.