Wanted tag on Ratan Hearing postponed, police file counter affidavit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2016: Imphal West SP Dr AK Jhalajit on behalf of the State Government respondents filed a counter affidavit to former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan's criminal petition case at the High Court of Manipur today.

The counter affidavit contains 75 different cases regis- tered at different police stations against Ratan for alle- gedly leading anti-social and pre-judicial activities under the banner of JCILPS from June to August last year.

Hearing of the criminal petition case which was supposed to be held today was deferred as acting Chief Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad and Justice N Kotiswar were out of station to attend a National conference.

The Division Bench fixed July 18 as the date of hearing of the criminal petition case filed by Ratan against the announcement of wanted tag on him.

Khomdram Ratan (C) after a meeting with the State Government (file)

Imphal West SP, who is one of the respondents of the case, filed the counter affidavit on behalf of the other respondents � Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP Manipur Police, Manipur Police Department PRO and Singjamei police station OC.

The counter affidavit stated that Ratan was involved in 75 different cases registered at different police stations of Imphal West and Imphal East districts between June and August last year.

It further stated that the photograph showing Ratan holding UNLF flag and taking oath from the outfit's top leader Nongyai was an evidence of having nexus between Ratan and the banned organisation.

The counter affidavit further stated that Ratan abetted the innocent public to promote social unrest, rioting and enmity among different sections of people of Manipur in the recent past under the banner of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).

It further said that his activities created serious brea- ches of law and order, disturbances of public tranquillity and harmony with colossal damages to public properties.

The counter affidavit mentioned that of the 75 different cases registered against him, 26 FIR cases were registered at Imphal police station, 15 at Singjamei P/S, 5 at Lamphel P/S, 5 at Patsoi P/S, 4 at City P/S and 2 at Mayang Imphal P/S, 16 at Porompat P/S and 2 at Lamlai P/S.It further mentioned that during the course of investigation, it was established from their credible information that UNLF has been funding JCILPS from time to time towards taking up organizational activities.

It further said that detection of a huge balance of Rs 35 lakhs in Ratan's frozen bank account of SBI Singjamei branch requires investigation.

The bank account was frozen by a Court order on June 3 last.

The counter affidavit further said that Ratan's houses were searched on June 2 by Singjamei police station OC and his party and it was revealed that Ratan was absconding.

It may be mentioned that the petition was filed as civil case before the Single Bench of Acting Chief Justice Rakesh Rajan Prasad and later the petition was changed into a criminal case.

The petition was heard at the Division Bench of High Court of Manipur from July 4 last.

The Court asked the respondents to file a counter affidavit and other related documents regarding the petition filed by Kh Ratan.

It may also be mentioned that another petition filed at the High Court of Manipur by Ratan's wife had already been dismissed by a Single Bench citing void of merit.