Dy Speaker sent to jail, resigns
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 18 2009: MPP MLA and Deputy Speaker Thounaojam Shyamkumar has been remanded to judicial custody till May 2 .

Shyamkumar was released on bail in March 2007 after he was arrested by Delhi Police along with two alleged UG cadres from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi in October 2006 .

The Court order issued here today and which remanded the Deputy Speaker to judicial custody mentioned that his interim bail expired on February 2 this year.

Dy Speaker Th Shyamkumar

Although, Shyamkumar was supposed to surrender before the Additional Sessions Judge, Tis Hazari, New Delhi, the Deputy Speaker surrendered before a Court at Imphal because of certain problems.

Moreover, his surety also desired to withdraw from being his surety thereby leading to the surrender.

Subsequently, the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Imphal West has ordered to send a copy of the order regarding remand of Shyamkumar to the Delhi Court for information.

Shyamkumar was elected to Manipur Legislative Assembly on MPP ticket while still detained in Tihar Jail before he was released on bail in March 2007 .

Before surrendering at the Court this morning, Shyamkumar resigned from his post of MLA.

Subsequently, the Manipur Legislative Assembly has issued a bulletin on the matter, an official source said.

Saying that he was a law abiding citizen, Shyamkumar said he was resigning on moral ground considering his allegiance to the Constitution of India.

Shyamkumar was appointed as the Deputy Speaker after being elected to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly from Andro Assembly Constituency on MPP ticket getting a total of 18,388 votes in the last general election of the State Assembly.

Prior to the Assembly election, Shyamkumar was arrested by the Delhi police on alleged charge of having connection with underground activists.

On February 17 this year, Shyamkumar had filed an application in the Delhi High Court praying for granting regular bail.

However, the court rejected his application.

The resignation letter of Shyamkumar from the post of Deputy Speaker was submitted by one of his worker through the Private Secretary of the Speaker at around 1 pm today.

Consequently, the Speaker accepted the resignation.

Later during the day, Shyamkumar went along with necessary documents and surrendered before the court of Additional CJM at Lamphel.

Shyamkumar was accompanied by many of his important workers while coming to surrender.

Shyamkumar said he took the decision to ensure justice and speedy trial of the case against him pending in the Court after taking into account failure of the court to grant regular bail and the prestige of the Assembly and the people which would be at stake if he goes to the jail as the Deputy Speaker.