Athokpam Naoton's death case: Court summons accused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2021: The Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East on Friday ordered five accused persons in the Athokpam Naoton's death case to appear before the Session Judge Imphal East on April 20.During today's hearing, the Court also provided relevant documents of the chargesheet submitted in the case to the five accused.

Irilbung Police had submitted the chargesheet on December 30 last year against Koijam Babudhon alias Pangamba, Nepram Gopen alias Gopendro Meitei, Takhellambam Muhindro alias Chitaranjan alias Laininghal, Sorokhaibam Siland Meitei and Waikhom Molecule alias Molikul Meitei.

What is the case about? The victim, Athokpam Naoton (37) of Kongba Uchekon Lai Muriba was found dead in a suspicious circumstance with both his legs and hands tied together with a mark of strangulation on September 27 last year.

His body was found at the courtyard of accused Koijam Babudhon of Kyamgei Mamang Leikai, whose house has a religious institution with some staunch believers of the faith including the deceased (Naoton) and one of his distant nephews.

It was suspected that Naoton allegedly died in the course of a very risky dogmatic religious experiment driven by a strong belief that Naoton's blood was impure and it could be purified only after he is killed and brought back to life again.

As Naoton died allegedly during the course of the religious experiment and couldn't be brought back to life, a fight broke out amongst the inmates and the matter came to the light of the locals.

On April 1 this year, CJM Imphal East had issued a summon to three of the accused persons on bail--Koijam Babudhon, Takhellambam Muhindro and Sorokhaibam Siland Meitei--to appear before the Court on Friday.

In addition, the Court had also issued a production warrant against accused Nepram Gopen and Waikhom Molecule, who are presently lodged in Sajiwa Central Jail.

During today's hearing, the Court took cognizance of the charge sheet submitted against the five accused persons under 302 and 34 IPC and handed over the relevant papers of the charge sheet to them through their respective counsels.

The Court then ordered the five accused persons to appear before the Court of Session Judge Imphal East for further proceeding of the trial on April 20 .

Comment