Athuan Abonmai case : Suspects remanded to judicial custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 14 2021: Two persons arrested in connection with Athuan Abonmai abduction and murder case have been remanded to judicial custody till October 28 .

The accused persons Ponthanlung Panmei @ Paul (47), son of Langai Panmei of Konthoujam Maning Tribal colony and Lanchapou Bosco Gonmei (48), son of (L) Gaikhangsingpou Gonmei of Langol Laimanai were produced before the Special Court NIA Manipur this evening by a team of Tamenglong police as the case has been transferred from the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Tamenglong.

It may be noted that Special Judge NIA Manipur had earlier directed Chief Judicial Magistrate Tamenglong to transfer all the judicial dockets/record of Abonmai Murder case FIR number 4 (9) 2021 of Tamenglong police station to NIA Court Manipur before October 18 and hand over all the related documents, case dairies, seized material exhibits to Chief Investigating Officer of National Investigation Agency (NIA).

During today's proceedings held via video conference, IO of Tamenglong district police as well as Vinod Kadam Inspector of NIA were present before the Court which also heard them and the accused persons.

The Court perused the material on record and the charges levelled against the accused persons-that they are involved in various terrorist activities and are highly suspected to be involved in committing the cold blooded murder of Athuan Abonmai.

Special PP NIA submitted that judicial custody of alleged accused persons is required for further investigation of the case.

On the other hand, accused persons also submitted that they have already engaged their lawyers and filed separate bail applications which are on record.

However, none of their counsels were present today.

The Court after hearing the submission of all the parties and on perusal of the material on record said that it finds prima facie material which suggest accused persons' connection with a terrorist organization as well as murder of Athuan Abonmai.

Thus, the Court is satisfied that accusations levelled against the alleged persons are well founded, it said and accordingly remanded the accused persons to judicial custody till October 28.The Court also ordered the NIA to take custody of accused persons from the previous IO of Tamenglong and take/commit to judicial custody after due formalities.

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