Alleged extra-judicial killing of Kiranjit on May 24, 2009
Chargesheet against 9 cops to be framed on Nov 24
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2025: The Sessions Judge, Imphal East has recorded the charge order against nine accused Manipur police commando personnel and fixed 24 November for framing charges against them in connection with the alleged fake encounter/extra-judicial killing of Elangbam Kiranjit on the morning of May 24, 2009 by a combined team of Thoubal commandos and 23 Assam Rifles between Sabungkhok and Laikot villages under Lamlai police station.

Today, the Court ordered that charges be framed against the nine accused commando personnel.

The charge order was kept on reserved after the hearing on October 13 .

Alleged extra-judicial killing of Kiranjit on May 24, 2009

The chargesheet along with prosecution sanction Under Section 197 CrPC was filed by the CBI against the nine accused persons viz then Jemadar Hollal Haokip (46), s/o Tongkholum Haokip of Moreh Ward Number 7; Kameidun Kamei James (38), s/o Ibohal of Keikhu Kabui village; Laishram Basanta Singh (41), s/o Birsing of Pangei Yangdong Village; S Naba Singh (41), s/o (L) Keshori of Kakching Wairi Thongam Leikai; Darsmol Sakhil Lamkang (41), s/o Bhardamal of Thamal Khurem Village; Tombing Thangsiamlal Paite (39), s/o (L) Khamzachin of New Lamka Dorcas Veng; Tantang Moses Maring (36), s/o Tanthang Korung Maring of Langol Village, Pallel; Serto Tiken Kom (41), s/o Jiten of Mantak Village and Mangtilal Vaiphei (42), s/o (L) Ngamjathong of Kamuching for offence Under Section 302, read with 34, 201 IPC.

The names of two other accused-then Major Anshuman Badoni and then Naib Subedar Govind Singh of 23 Assam Rifles are also included in the chargesheet.

However, it is stated that sanction under Section 197 CrPC has not been issued by the Central Government for these two accused persons.

Pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court of India in response to a writ petition filed by the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) and Human Rights Alert (HRA), the CBI constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) vide order dated 27 June 2017 to investigate cases relating to extra-judicial killings.

The present case concerning the death of Elangbam Kiranjit was one of the cases investigated by the CBI.

Lamlai Police registered an FIR on 24 April 2009 in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Elangbam Kiranjit, based on the complaint lodged by accused Jemadar Hollal Haokip of Thoubal commando.

The complaint claimed that, on the same day, upon receiving specific information about the movement of two armed underground cadres between Sabungkhok and Laikot areas, a combined team of Thoubal commandos and a column of 23 Assam Rifles laid an ambush.

At around 6 am, the team spotted two persons approaching in a suspicious manner.

When challenged, the unknown persons allegedly opened fire on the combined team, which retaliated.

The exchange of fire lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which one underground cadre was killed, while the other escaped, taking advantage of the thick vegetation on the hill, he had claimed.

It was further alleged in the complaint that, after the encounter, the combined team recovered a 9mm pistol containing two live rounds and one round in the chamber from the encounter site.

The CBI registered an FIR by taking over the case from Lamlai police station.

During the investigation, family members of late Elangbam Kiranjit claimed that he left home around 3 pm on 23 April 2009 on a bicycle to search for their cow at Thoubal Khuman, carrying a rope and a mobile phone.

He did not return by evening, and when his mobile phone became unreachable, the family began contacting locals.

According to the family, Kiranjit's younger brother was informed by someone that security forces had taken a person away, leaving behind a bicycle.

The family then went to Thoubal District Police Headquarters to inquire whether Elangbam Kiranjit had been picked up by the police, but they were told that no such person had been detained.

On their way back home from Thoubal, they received information that a body was lying at the RIMS morgue, which was later identified as that of Kiranjit.

The Court, after hearing the submissions of the Special Public Prosecutor for the CBI and the defence counsel, and upon perusal of the material on record, observed that the material constitutes sufficient grounds for framing charges for the offences under Sections 302/201 read with 34 IPC, as mentioned in the chargesheet.

The Court also observed that, as per the chargesheet, the deceased/victim was abducted while riding a bicycle to search for his lost cattle and was later killed in an alleged fake encounter.

According to the initial report filed by the complainant-then Jemadar Hollal Haokip the deceased and another individual had opened fire on the security forces, and a 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene of the occurrence.

The Court further observed that there is a prima facie case that the deceased/victim was abducted and killed, as alleged in the CBI's chargesheet, and consequently a prima facie case that the recovered pistol was planted and the written report filed by then Jemadar Hollal Haokip was concocted.

Hence, the Court ordered that charges be framed against the nine accused commando personnel for offence under section 302/201 and 34 IPC .