Man arrested for FB comment freed on bail
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 09 2022:
One Laishram Malemnganba, who was arrested by Heingang PS on charges of making anti-religion and anti-BJP comments on Facebook, was set free on bail by CJM Imphal East on Wednesday.
A team of Heingang PS on Wednesday produced Malemnganba before the court with a prayer for judicial remand of 15 days.
The accused's counsel argued that while the accused was in police custody, his (Malemnganba) photo went viral on the Facebook account of one MK Asker Ali.
After listening to the submissions of both sides, the court observed that Malemnganba was arrested based on a report filed by one Barish at Heingang PS against the accused person's comment.
However, the accused did not post the comment with intention of tarnishing someone's reputation.
In addition, he is not a habitual offender.
India is a democratic country and its citizens have the right to express their thoughts.
Thus, Malemnganba's comment does not attract Section 2955-A Of IPC, the court stated and granted bail to Malemnganba on execution of a bond of Rs 30,000 and a surety bond of similar amount.
The court also advised Malemnganba not to repeat such acts in the future and prohibited him from influencing the witnesses or tampering with the evidence connected with the case.
He is also prohibited from leaving the state without the permission of the court.
The court further took serious note of spreading of the accused person's photograph of his stay in police custody for two days and questioned who had taken the photograph.
The IO of the case responded that he was unaware.
To this, the Court questioned whether the officer in-charge or any private citizen can behave as they please in the police station, while directing for an order copy to be sent to SP Imphal East for investigating the matter.