SI Jitendro remanded in police custody
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 05 2022:
The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Imphal West on Thursday remanded sub-inspector Jitendro, the accused in the alleged custodial death of one Arambam Nanao, into police custody for six days.
As per submission by the investigating officer, one Arambam Kombirei Devi (60) wife of late A Dhananjoy of Sagolband Kangabam Leikai reported to OC of Imphal PS oh May 3 around 1.30 pm stating that, on May 2 about 9.30 am, her son namely Arambam Nanao was abducted by 3/4 unknown people who came in a car from the road near their house located at Sagolband Kangabam Leikai.
One of the abductors identified himself as SI Jitendro, who came in a white Honda Activa, and asked the family members to come to Imphal PS.
After half an hour, a police team in civil dress also picked up Nanao's Swift Car (silver in colour), which was parked on the roadside.
Later, she (Kombirei) also arrived at Imphal PS around 10.30 am the same day.
She was made to sign on a piece of paper stating that her son has been arrested in a case and served her a copy.
While managing to settle the matter, the police team brought her son Arambam Nanao at her residence around 4 pm and the said police team took him inside his room.
No family members were allowed to enter the room.
On hearing cry of Nanao for saving his life, his younger brother Manju attempted to enter the room but was pushed back by holding on his neck.
After that Nanao's grandmother Arambam (O) Memcha was also pushed back when she tried to enter the room.
After a while, Nanao was taken out of his room in an unconscious state.
Later, he was evacuated to RIMS hospital by two police personnel (one in uniform and another in civil dress) along with her son Manju and Sanabam Nilakanta in the car of Nilakanta.
However, Nanao passed away at RIMS Hospital despite medical treatment.
The counsel of the accused submitted that there are reports that the deceased namely, Arambam Nanao had consumed poisonous substance that may be one of the factors for his death and prayed for shortening the police remand period of SI Jitendro.
After hearing both sides, the court observed that there is an allegation of the accused along with 3/4 unknown people in civvies abducting Nanao on May 2 .
It is further alleged by the complainant that on meeting the accused at Imphal PS around 1.30 pm, the latter demanded a sum of Rs 5 lakh by 4.00 pm of the same day failing which the detainee will not be released.
"Thus, this Court is of the view that the offence of kidnapping for ransom as provided U/S 364-A IPC may be attracted; further Section 390 IPC which is robbery by extortion may also be relevant in the present case; moreover, as there was allegation that 3/4 unknown people accompanied the accused while abducting the subject, Section 109 IPC (abetment of offence) may also be attracted.
Thus, the IO of the case is directed to incorporate the three Sections of IPC in the present FIR," the court said.
On being enquired, the IO submitted that some clothes had been seized and attempt is made to seize the weapons of offence/incriminating articles and prayed the Court to grant time so that the same may be produced before the Court on the next date.
The IO of the case was directed to seize any weapon of offence and to handle the same carefully so that finger prints on such items can be examined by forensic experts.
"Considering the allegations and the materials placed before me, I find a prima facie case against the accused for the alleged offence and thus the accused is remanded in police custody for a period of six days till May 10," the court said in its order.
It also directed the IO to produce the accused person either at JNIMS or RIMS for medical check-up every 48 hours or whenever is needed while he is in police custody.