Court summons 13 AR personnel involved in extra-judicial killing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 09 2024: The court of CJM Imphal East summoned 13 personnel of 19 Assam Rifles involved in an alleged extrajudicial execution occurred in June, 2005 and asked all the personnel including officers to appear physically before the court on November 25 .

The incident relates to the killing of a person named Pheiroijam Keshorjit allegedly in a fake encounter by 19 Assam Rifles troop in 2005 .

The court of CJM Imphal East conducted hearing of a case between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) versus Manujendra Singh and 12 other accuses on October 30, 2024.The Criminal Miscellaneous FR case was registered on March 9, 2021 while Criminal Miscellaneous case (protest petition) was registered on January 13, 2022 .

The case was filed by Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) secretary.

As per final report furnished to the court by investigating officer of CBI, late Pheiroijam Keshorjit was picked up by a team of 19 AR from a waiting shed of Sabungkhok Khunnou on June 20, 2005 between 4.30-5 pm.

His dead body was found in the general area of Seijang-Sailet the next day at about 1.30 am .

The investigation report also mentioned that the act was committed by 13 personnel of 19 AR including two Major rank officers.

As the Central government did not approve prosecution sanction as per Section 6 of AFSPA, the final report was made to the court for giving appropriate ruling.

A Criminal Miscellaneous case filed by EEVFAM secretary rejected the final report and prayed for taking cognizance against accuses.

After detailed study of documents relating to the case, the court ruled that the final report cannot be approved merely on the ground of non-sanctioning of prosecution sanction and issued summon to all the 13 AR personnel involved in the incident while taking cognizance for the offence under relevant sections of criminal law.

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