Bail granted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2022: A single bench of the High Court of Manipur granted bail to suspended Sub Inspector Thokchom Jitendro yesterday.

The order was passed by Justice MV Muralidaran.

Thokchom Jitendra of Heinoukhongnembi Thokchom Leikai was in judicial custody from May 16 in connection with the death of a goldsmith, Arambam Nanao of Sagolband Kangabam Leikai on April 2 last.

The case was on against the accused based on the complaint lodged by family members of the deceased.

The complaint had alleged that on April 2 at around 9.30 am, Arambam Nanao was picked up by some 3-4 persons including Sub Inspector Jitendro in a car.

Asked by SI Jitendra to visit the Imphal Police Station, family members of the victim went to the station.

After a long wait, Jitendro allegedly warned that unless Rs 5 lakh was paid till 4 pm of the same day, the victim would not be released.

The mother of the victim was then made to sign on a piece of paper stating victim was arrested in a case and served a copy.

After settling the matter, the police team brought back Nanao at his residence at around 4 pm.

After a while he was then taken out of his room by the police team and family members in an unconscious state and evacuated to RIMS Hospital where he died.

During the hearing yesterday, the Counsel of the accused submitted that he (Jitendra) was arrested in connection with the case on his surrender.

He had made a primary enquiry based on a report made by one Kangabam Jacky alleging that the deceased (Nanao) was one of goldsmiths and had allegedly misappropriated gold amounting to Rs 9.60 lakh.

Nanao was then arrested following the enquiry.

Further, Nanao was brought to his home for recovery of gold as he had allegedly admitted that he had kept some gold at his residence.

Led by the police team, Nanao went inside his room and then collapsed thereafter after allegedly consuming some substance suspected to be acid used in making gold jewelry, submitted the Counsel.

The Counsel also submitted that the reason for Nanao allegedly consuming the substance may be attributed to his own wife's utterances which instigated him to die.

The video footage of the same had gone viral on social media and there is prima facie material to attract section 304 IPC.

On the other hand, Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that neither there was no FIR regarding the alleged report submitted by Jacky, who charged him of misappropriating gold.

The Prosecutor submitted that statement record of witnesses clearly alleged that Jitendra interrogated the deceased with loud and heated voice and was also beaten several times with cane stick.

The Prosecutor submitted that the Session Judge Imphal West after analyzing the matter in detail, rightly dismissed the bail application and that the death of Nanao was due to the misuse of police power by SI Jitendra.

The Court after hearing both the parties said it was of the opinion that the accused cannot be made to languish behind the bars for long period of time and that the veracity of the allegations levelled against him can be tested during the trial of the case.

The Court then gave bail to the accused on execution Rs 50,000 PR bond and two local sureties of like amount to the satisfaction of the Session Judge Imphal West and on the condition that he shall not leave the place of residence without permission from Session Judge and shall not ordinarily reside at the place of residence and the complete address of such place shall be furnished to the Session Judge.

The Court also gave direction that the accused shall always be available to the Investigating Officer when required.

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