Court grants bail
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 02 2022: Session Judge Imphal West has ordered the release of accused persons Ningombam Baboi alias Boicha Singh and Heikham Victor Singh on bail who were arrested from motor vehicle check post Tengnoupal on alleged charges of illegal transportation of bulk quantity of COVID-19 vaccine (Covishield) and test kits without valid document to Moreh.

The accused Ningombam Boicha alias Baboi Singh (32) s/o Ningombam Tomba Singh of Luker Maning Leikai and Victor Singh (22) s/o Heikham Sarat Singh of Khurkhul Makha Leikai, who were arrested on February 26, were produced before the Court by a team of Tengnoupal police after the completion of police custody period long with the prayer for judicial custody remand.

Additional PP submitted that on Feb 26 , at around 10.30 am, personnel of Motor Vehicle check post Tengnoupal stopped a Maruti Gypsy for security check at the check post driven by accused Victor singh along with Ningombam Baboi Singh who were coming from Imphal towards Moreh.

During the search, huge quantities of COVID-19 vaccine (Covishield) & test kits were found concealed inside the vehicle's body without valid documents of the items.

Further, it was confirmed by the district medical authority that there was no such consignment supposed to be transported.

Additional PP further submitted that from the disclosure of the two accused persons it has been ascertained that they were all involved in the transportation of the seized COVID-19 vaccine (Covishield) & test kits and were assured a sum Rs 15000/- (fifteen thousand only) for the transportation.

The PP added that efforts are also being made to arrest one Sanayaima of Kwakeithel as revealed by the accused persons.

Thus, it is highly required to remand the two accused persons to judicial custody so as to conduct thorough investigation.

On the other hand counsel of the accused persons submitted that present petitioners/accused persons were arrested on Feb 26 on the allegation of transporting Covid-19 Antigen Test Kit and Chadox1 ncov-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant), Covishield-200 vials (2000 doses) without valid documents.

It is submitted that the transportation of the test kits and vaccines is complied with the standards as per Second Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 .

The counsel also submitted that Chadox1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant), Covishield-200 Vials are manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII) which is recognized by World Health Organisation (WHO) .

Counsel also submitted that the accused/petitioners with bonafide intention transported the said life saving vaccines for medical and legal uses only and not for committing the alleged offence.

The accused persons do not have any criminal antecedents.

Marriage of the accused Victor is fixed on March 9 and as such if the bail is not granted his life and the reputation of the family and others will be ruined and lost forever.

Also, the accused Baboi is the sole earner of his family and if bail is not granted his family and minor daughter will suffer irreparable injury to his family and appealed for bail.

Court on perusal of the case record and after hearing the submission of APP and defense counsel ordered the release of accused persons on a bail of Rs 50,000/- each and on the conditions that they shall cooperate with the investigation of the case and appear before the IO or the Court as and when directed.

They shall not influence any of the prosecution witnesses, they shall not leave the State without prior permission from the Court and they shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- each in cash as security (refundable) .

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