Further remand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2021:
The Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West today further remanded 12 persons including 5 women to four more days police custody till May 7 for allegedly assaulting a woman and wrongful confinement of the victim at Naorem Leikai Amujao (Sofa) Leirak on April 27 last.
Another accused in the case was also picked up yesterday.
The persons identified as Naorem Sanajaoba (34), Naorem Babuloo (31), Naorem Romesh (31), Naorem Tarukton (38), Naorem Sanatomba (65), Naorem Bipin (31), Naorem Bijen (63), Naorem Abem Devi (35), Naorem Tarubi (37), Naorem Victoria Devi (29), Naorem Elizabeth (29) all from Kakwa Naorem Leikai and Elangbam Naocha @ Nishibala (38) of Langthabal Mantrikhong Awang Leikai, were arrested by Singjamei police in connection with the case on the day of the incident.
The 12 arrested persons and another accused who was arrested yesterday were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate by a team of Singjamei police station after the completion of the police custody period along with a prayer for further 4 more days of police remand.
The newly arrested person was identified as Konthoujam Lendar (19), son of Late Kumar of Kakwa Naorem Leikai.
Lendar was arrested by Singjamei police yesterday at 11 pm as a part of the investigation after it was learnt that he was at the house of Laimajam Roshan of Kakwa Naorem Leikai.
Today, the IO of the case through APP while submitting details of the whole incident to the Chief Judicial Magistrate added that a CCTV footage (DVD) showing involvement of Lender in the assault has been seized.
On analysis of the footage, it is clearly seen that Lendar along with others assaulted the complainant (victim), the IO said.
Lendar had also obstructed and even assaulted police personnel including women personnel who were trying to rescue the victim, the IO said.
The accused also admitted to have committed the offence on preliminary interrogation, the IO continued.
The Court after hearing the submission of IO and on minute perusal of the material on record including photographs and video clip of the incident stated that sufficient prima facie evidence of inciting mob lynching have been found and allowed the IO to remand the accused persons to police custody till May 7 .
It may be recalled that the case was taken up after the victim, Naorem Jibanlata (59) of Kakwa Huidrom Leikai lodged a complaint regarding the assault on her and confinement on April 27 at around 3 pm.
In her complaint, the victim had alleged confinement after being called by accused Sanatomba's wife Geetabali to clear Rs 8,50,000 debt which Sanatomba and Geetabali had borrowed around three years back.
It was also mentioned that some men and women stormed Geetabali's house while the victim was there.
They (accused persons) then dragged her out, snatched her mobile phone, tried to strip her and forcibly took her to Naorem Leikai Pena Khongba community hall, the victim had mentioned.