Special Judge NIA frames charges
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2022: The Special Judge NIA Manipur today has framed charges against three persons who were allegedly intercepted by Assam Rifles while transporting a cache of arms and ammunition to supply to insurgent groups on May 21, 2018 .

The case was re-registered by NIA for investigation under Arms Acts from Ukhrul police station in compliance with an order from the Union Home Ministry in July 2018 .

The NIA, after investigation, submitted a charge sheet against five persons including 2 persons who were arrested along with the arms and ammunition by Assam Rifles in February 2022 while the Court took cognizance of the offence under different Sections of IPC and Arms Act.

The charge sheet was submitted against Honpam Chithung @Apam @David @Chisha (55), s/o Akon Chithung of Ngaprum village presently staying at Mantripukhri; Muthu Monahar (56), s/o (L) Arumugam Muthu of Ready Hill Chennai; Paoshim Kasar @Pine (55), s/o Reisangmi Varam (then Pastor) of Lamlai Tangkhul village presently staying at Laithumkhrah Shillong; Ningkhan Sangtham @Nihgkhan Angkhang @Angam (40), s/o Athing of Kuda village Dimapur and Raju Gupta @Raju Bhaiya @Raju (37), s/o Achellai Gupta of Dewasthapur Atrauna village present staying at Ram Janaki Thakurbari, Dimapur.

Accused Muthu Manohar and Raju Gupta who are on bail appeared before the Court along with their respective counsels today while accused Ningkham Sangtham was produced before the Court from Adarsh Central Jail, Bihar by a team of Bihar police.

The Court proceeding against accused Ningkham Sangtham, Muthu Manohar and Raju Gupta was held by splitting the case as accused Honpam Chithung and Paoshim Kasar have been declared as absconders.

The Court, after hearing the submission of the Special PP and defence counsels and on perusal of the material on record, framed charges against Ningkham Sangtham, Muthu Manohar and Raju Gupta under different Sections of IPC and Arms Acts after observing that there are sufficient grounds for framing charges against them.

Charges levelled were explained to the accused persons in their languages, following which the accused pleaded not guilty and sought trial of the case.

Hence, the Court fixed August 29 for hearing of the first prosecution witness of the Special NIA trial case.

The defence counsel of Ningkham Sangtham submitted that the accused is suffering from neurological problems and prayed to direct the authority concerned to arrange a regular check up facility for the accused.

The Court noted the submission of the defence counsel and directed Superintendent of Adarsh Central Jail to prepare medical examination for the ailment of the accused.

As Ningkham Sangtham is in judicial custody in connection with another special trial case pending in the Court of NIA Patna against him, the Court directed all concerned to hand over the accused to Bihar police to send him back to Adarsh Central Jail in Bihar.

The case was first registered on May 22, 2018 at Ukhrul police station a day after Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle carrying a cache of arms and ammunition concealed in handbags.

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