Lungnila murder case: Two convicts jailed till death
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 13 2023: The court of Sessions Judge, Imphal East on Monday sentenced two convicts, Ningombam Romi Meitei and Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki, in the kidnapping and murder of Lungnila Elizabeth, to life imprisonment.

After a detailed investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed chargesheets against four accused, namely Thokchom Nando Singh s/o Subol of Khangabok Part-III, Ningombam Romi Meitei alias Romen alias Michael alias Ramesh alias Loyalakpa s/o Tomba of Bashikhong Mamang Leikai, (now deceased) Okram Deben alias Arnold alias Kokphai alias Boy s/o Tombi of Sagolband Khamnam Leirak but residing at Langthabal Mantrikhong and Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki alias Letsei alias Seiboi alias Seisei s/o Jampao Haokip of Matijang village, Churachandpur.

The court then framed the charges and the trial commenced.

During the sentence hearing on Monday, after deliberating on the quantum of punishment that could be awarded, the court charged Ningombam Romi Meitei and Letkhosei Haokip under Section 364- A (Kidnapping for ransom), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 302 (murder) and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

The Special PP-CBI submitted to the court that the crime committed by the two convicts was of the most heinous kind and appealed to the court to award capital punishment to them.

However, counsel of Ningombam Romi informed the court that the accused had been out on bail during the trial period, during which there have been no record of any crime committed by him.

In addition, the accused is married with kids and as such, the counsel prayed to the court for awarding the minimum sentence possible.

Meanwhile, Letkhosei's counsel made a prayer to the court to commute the time the accused had spent in jail and award minimum sentence possible, not exceeding 14 years.

After perusing the submissions, the court observed that no other sentence could be awarded to the convicts other than life in prison and capital punishment.

With regard to capital punishment, the Supreme Court had announced the guideline in the Machhi Singh vs The State of Punjab case (1983).However, as the case did not have enough materials to be regarded as a rarity, the two convicts are sentenced to life in prison under section 120-B IPC, section 364-A IPC and section 302 of IPC.

The life term should not be confused with the 14-year jail term.

The materials of the case can be disposed of after expiry of the filing period of an appeal.

The court further directed the special secretary (Home) to provide the victim compensation under the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme in accordance to the notification issued on July 22, 2019 .

A copy of the court s order is to be provided to the secretary of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Imphal West to ensure effective execution of the same.

Comment