PNB robbery case : Cognizance taken
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30 2026: Special Court NIA Manipur Number 1 took cognizance of a charge sheet submitted against one Jackson Phinao in connection with the robbery of over Rs 18.85 crore from Punjab National Bank, Ukhrul branch on November 30, 2023 .

NIA submitted the charge sheet on January 23, 2026 against accused self-styled Lieutenant Colonel of NSCN (IM) Jackson Phinao alias P Jackson alias Joseph Phinao (then Major) of Roni village, Kamjong district, along with the prosecution sanction.

NIA also filed an application for obtaining a voice sample of the accused.

The defence counsel, on the other hand, objected to the filing of the charge sheet contending that the charge sheet was filed without completing the investigation.

The Court, after hearing the submission of a Special PP of NIA and the defence counsel of the accused, observed that as per the provisions of the CrPC and BNSS further investigation can be carried out even after filing a charge sheet.

On perusal of the submitted charge sheet and after considering the material on record, the Court found sufficient ground for taking cognizance of the offences mentioned in the charges sheet against the accused under different sections of IPC and UA(P) Act.

Thus the Court took cognizance of the charge sheet and ordered NIA to furnish relevant papers of the charge sheet to the accused on February 6, 2026 .

Notably, a group of armed miscreants robbed around Rs 18 crore from Punjab National Bank, Ukhrul branch located at Viewland on November 30, 2023 at around 5.40 pm .

In compliance with an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 3, 2025, NIA Imphal Branch took over the case from Ukhrul police station after re-registering the same case.

The accused of the case and other cadres of NSCN(IM) were arrested by Nagaland Police on July 30 last year and they were handed over to Manipur Police.

Later, they were taken into the custody of NIA Imphal Branch.

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