Court raps cops
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 09 2022:
While releasing a person arrested for making an alleged derogatory comment on Facebook, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East came down heavily on the police for lapses in handling the accused in their custody today.
The Court's reaction came after a photograph of an accused in police custody surfaced on Facebook.
Taking serious note of the photograph of the accused being circulated on social media, the Court asked who was incharge of the police station, the Officer in-Charge or someone else who was doing whatever he wanted in the station.
Notably, the accused identified as Laishram Malemnganba (22) of Waiton Mamang Leikai was arrested for allegedly making "derogatory or hate comment" on a Facebook post of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
The Chief Minister had posted "Echasa Fattaba Meegidi Hidak Leitabani Chumkhareada (Ahal Laman Singna Hairamba Wani) War on Drugs 2.0" on Facebook.
The accused had then allegedly commented "4 Yonninglaga Yonni, Chaninglaga Chani, Nawa Loudea Sanyung Thakpa BJP Party" .
During the hearing today, the defense Counsel informed that during the police custody period, a photograph of the accused was allegedly taken and was now being widely circulated on Facebook.
The photograph was allegedly uploaded by an account with the name of MK Asker Ali.
On the charges levelled against Malemnganba, the Court observed that there was no deliberate and malicious intention on the part of the accused which needs to be proved at the course of trial.
The accused merely expressed his opinion/disagreement casually, said the Court and also observed that he is not a habitual offender.
The Court then ordered his release on bail on execution of Rs 30 thousand PR bond and surety of the same amount.
Meanwhile, when the Court asked who took the photograph of the accused in custody, the Investigating Officer responded that he had no knowledge.
However, the accused alleged that photograph was taken by the complainant group.
The Court then asked who was incharge of the police station and directed to send a copy of today's order to SP Imphal East for information and to do the needful by inquiring about the matter.