Freed on bail
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 11 2020: Chief Judicial Magistrate lmphal West released MSAD (Manipur Students' Association Delhi) general secretary Thokchom Singhajit and organisation secretary Kenedy Moirangthem on bail with the direction to appear before the Court on January 4 next year.

They were released on execution of Rs 20,000 PR bond each.

Kenedy Moirangthem (20) and Thokchom Singhajit (20) both of Khangabok Mayai Leikai were earlier arrested on December 7 from Patel Chest under Maurice Nagar Police Station, Delhi and they were brought back to Imphal by State police yesterday after taking 7 days transit remand from Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi.

The two were arrested in connection with a MSAD press release uploaded on a social networking site on November 20 condemning the proposed introduction of Sanskrit as a subject in select schools and colleges in Manipur.

The press release was signed by Kenedy Moirangthem, organization secretary of MSAD.

During the hearing today, the Assistant Public Prosecutor submitted that accused Kenedy Moirangthem released the press note on November 20 condemning the decision of the Government of Manipur to introduce Sanskrit language in schools and colleges in the State.

Kenedy Moirangthem in collusion with Thokchom Singhajit prepared the said statement and released them in many papers and on Facebook which then went viral.

The statement they released "promoted enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, race, birth place, residence, language, etc" and was prepared to "provoke" the Brahmins and other communities of the society, submitted the APP and prayed the Court for police custody remand of both accused persons.

The Counsel of the accused objected to the remand prayer and submitted that Thokchom Singhajit and M Kenedy are students presently pursuing BCom 5th Semester at Satyawati College, Delhi University.

After the publication of the press release dated November 20 condemning the decision of the Government to introduce Sanskrit language in schools and colleges in Manipur, the accused persons published another press release on November 30 apologizing the use of harsh word like "bastard" and clarifying that the earlier press release was "not against any community or religion" .

The Court observed that the accused persons are students of Satyawati College pursuing 5th Semester of BCom (Programme) and their semester exam is scheduled to commence from December 13 .

The accused persons are first time offenders and keeping them in (police) custody will amount to destruction of their career, observed the Court.

The Court then ordered their release on bail on their execution of a PR bond of Rs 20,000 with surety bond of the like amount.

They shall not leave Manipur without prior permission of the Court till trial is over, said the Court directing them to appear before the it on January 4 next year.

Comment