Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29:
The fate of TIPS functionaries, L Umakanta and Y Thabi who are currently in jail, will be decided on October 4.The date was set by the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East, Max Phazang after hearing the charges levelled against the two by the police.
After arresting the two from their respective residences in the last week of August, Porompat police registered an FIR case against them U/S 38/39 UA (P) A Act, 2004.Police charged them of having links with the banned KYKL.
Before hearing the charge sheets against the two TIPS members, the Judge witnessed the contents of the three CDs seized from the residence of Y Langamba alias Y Thabi to ascertain whether they are incriminating or not.
Among others the contents of the CDs included news clippings of local cable news network ISTV.
Advocate S Lakhikanta Singh, appearing on behalf of Umakanta and Thabi argued before the Court that there is nothing wrong in possessing such collections by a functionary of a human rights organisation.
Lakhikanta further said that the whole content of the charge sheets is illegal and added that under the charges levelled against them, an officer not below the rank of the DSP should interrogate the accused persons.
On the contrary, major parts of the investigation were conducted by a Sub-Inspector as the charge sheets have revealed, he argued and added that the charges are legally void.
In fact the SI can arrest the two, but he cannot conduct the investigation, the counsel said.
Lakhikanta also submitted that the entire note put in the charge sheets have been incorporated with the UA (P) before its amendment effected in 2004.Picking out the loopholes in the case worked out by the police, the Advocate prayed before the Court to release Umakanta and Thabi without any condition of the law as the police have failed to substantiate the charges levelled against them.
Thabi's mother, Y Maloti Devi who was present at the Court fainted during the proceedings and she was rushed to hospital.