Salai MD Samarjit pleads not guilty
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2022:
Managing director of SALAI cum self-styled External Affairs and Defence Minister of the Manipur State Council (MSC) Narengbam Samarjit today pleaded not guilty during the explanation of charges framed against him in connection with declaration of independence of Manipur from India.
Narengbam Samarjit who is presently on interim bail on medical ground in connection with the case appeared before the Special Court, NIA Manipur along with his counsel for charge explanation which was farmed against him on November 24 under Section 13 of UAP Act (inciting unlawful activity) and Section 120 (b) of IPC (criminal conspiracy) .
The Special Court, after explaining the charges framed against Narengbam Samarjit and after hearing his arguments who pleaded not guilty, fixed December 22 for examination of the first prosecution witness (complainant of the case) .
The charges were framed against Narengbam Samarjit on November 24 while three other accused persons namely; Elangbam Brojendro (42) of Keishampat Elangbam Leikai.
Narengbam Biswajit (48) of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai and Akoijam Dipa Anand who were arrested by NIA in connection with the case were discharged.
Notably, a case was first registered by Lamphel police station after N Samarjit and Yambem Biren had announced formation of a 'de jure' Manipur Government on October 29, 2019 in London, UK after declaring Manipur's independence from India at a press conference held at London and they sought' asylum in the United Kingdom.
N Samarjit had proclaimed himself as the self-styled UCM organises training programme External Affairs and Defence Minister of the 'de jure' Government based in London and Yambem Biren as the Chief Minister.
Based on the FIR registered at Lamphel police station, NIA, in compliance With an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on November 19, 2019, registered a case at their Guwahati branch office against Narengbam Samarjit and Yambem Biren.
After the investigation, the NIA submitted a charge sheet before the Court on March 23, 2021 against N Samarjit, Yambem Biren, Elangbam Brojendro, Narengbam Biswajit and Akoijam Deepa Anand along with all relevant documents and material objects.
During the course of investigation, it was revealed that Salai Group had cheated the people by promising 36 per cent annual returns pn their deposits but N Samarjit who was also chairman of the Salai Group fled to London with the depositors' money and announced the independence of Manipur.
N Samarjit was detained by the officials of Bureau of Immigration at New Delhi Airport after, his return from London and later arrested by NIA on March 25, 2021 and various incriminating documents/material objects were seized from his possession, according to the charge sheet.
On March 29, 2021, N Samarjit was brought back to Imphal by a team of NIA and remanded to judicial custody before he was released on interim bail on medical ground.