Lungnila Elizabeth murder case Court examines 3 accused
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2017:
The examination of three accused in the Lungnila Elizabeth murder case was held today before the Special Court CBI Imphal and December 15 has been fixed for the argument hearing of the trial .
The three accused, Thokchom Nando alias Nanao, Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki and Ningombam Rome, were produced before the Court from Sajiwa Central jail and during the examination, they were asked 136 questions by the Court .
However, as none of the accused prayed for producing their defense witnesses through their defense counsels, the Court fixed December 15 for the argument hearing of the trial .
The accused examination was held today, after the closing of the prosecution witness by the side of the Special Crime Branch CBI with the submission of their last witness on November 15 .
Altogether 65 prosecution witness' statements from the side of the CBI have been recorded before the Court during the 9 year long trial of the murder case (which started from February 6, 2008) after the investigating agency, CBI Special Crime Branch, submitted their charge sheets before the Court and after framing charges against the four accused , nearly four years after the incident .
During the duration of the trial, one of the accused O Deben alias Arnold passed away .
It may be mentioned that 8 year old baby Lungnila Elizabeth, daughter of then Minister Francis Ngajokpa, was kidnapped by some unknown individuals in front of her school gate (Little Flower School) on November 4, 2003 .
Inspite of the Rs 10 lakh ransom demanded by the kidnappers, and which was paid by the family, the highly decomposed body of Lungnila Elizabeth was found in a sack at Tera Sadokpam, Imphal West, on November 12 .
Special Crime Branch, CBI, Kolkata, registered a fresh case regarding the incident and arrested the main accused, James Kuki, from Dimapur on June 10, 2007 .
James had fled from the State after his name was implicated in the crime but he was caught by the NSCN (IM) at Dimapur.
He was kept at Hebron camp where NSCN (IM) carried out an enquiry regarding the crime .
James Kuki was later released by the outfit on parole before he was arrested by the CBI team .
Besides James Kuki, two other accused of the murder case, Thokchom Nando and N Rome , were also arrested in connection with the case, a few months after the incident.