Ex-minister fumes named as accused in criminal case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 25 2022:
Former minister L Jayantakumar has expressed his dissatisfaction over being named as one of the accused by the prosecution director in a criminal case against 8 sitting and former MLAs, as was published in a local daily.
He questioned the basis of naming him as an accused in a case for which no chargesheet has been filed or a trial hearing conducted.
Addressing a press meet at his residence on Thursday, Jayantakumar recalled that a Fortuner vehicle purchased in his name was sold off in February before the recent elections.
The reason for selling the car was to fund his election campaign.
Unfortunately, the Fortuner was involved in a drug bust case before the new owner could change the ownership details, which is neither his (Jayantakumar) nor the new owner's fault.
The delay in changing the ownership details by the Transport department could be due to the election, he said, adding that he has all the requisite documents including the sale deed and affidavit verifying the sale.
As the police investigation indicated no reason for him to be involved, the anticipatory bail filed previously, was upgraded to interim bail and later, to absolute bail.
Additionally, all the people arrested with drugs have been investigated, and the person who was caught with drug had clarified on social media that he (Jayantakumar) was not involved in the case.
At present, no chargesheet of the case has been filed.
If the chargesheet is filed and he has been found guilty during the trial, the court should be the one to convict him.
However, if he is named as accused in the case, even before all of the above procedures are carried out, then the people will take him to be involved in the case and regard him to be guilty, despite his innocence.
Thus, Jayantakumar said that the news published in the local daily could have been incorrect, but there is the need for clarification so as to ensure the people are not misled in the matter.