Remanded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2026: The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West today remanded 24 years old Waikhom Michael who was arrested on the charge of stealing 15 bags of rice from Keishamthong High School in judicial custody till July 17 .

Michael, s/o (L) Sarat of Yarou Bamdiar Makha Leikai was produced before the Court today on completion of his police custody period.

The APP for the State submitted that the accused was arrested in connection with the case on July 1 .

What the APP says

The case was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Headmistress of Keishamthong High School on June 2 .

In her complaint, she stated that on the morning of the same day (June 2), she received a telephone call from the school peon informing her that some unknown persons had unlawfully entered the school and committed theft.

Upon verification, it was discovered that 15 bags of rice had been stolen from the school godown.

The locks of the main entrance gate, the computer room, the iron collapsible door, and the godown were found broken.

The total value of the stolen property was estimated at approximately Rs 28,000.Accordingly, a case was registered for investigation.

During the course of the investigation, police received information from reliable sources that the accused was involved in the case.

A team of Imphal police station visited the residence of the accused on June 4 to effect his arrest; however, he was not found at his residence.

On July 1, at around 8.30 pm, the police received information that the accused was present in and around the Keishampat Junction.

Acting on the information, a team of Imphal police rushed to the area and conducted frisking and checking operations.

During the operation, the accused was seen approaching the frisking point from Mayai Lambi and was detained on the spot.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused disclosed that he was involved in several theft cases, including the theft at Keishamthong High School, as well as thefts of property from various schools in Imphal West district.

During custodial interrogation, the accused stated that he had been a drug user for the past five years, rarely returned home, and usually stayed in the Ima Keithel area.

He further disclosed that, since May 2026, he had been involved in a series of thefts, including the theft of rice bags and other properties from several schools, and that the proceeds from the stolen property were used to purchase drugs.

The APP for the State submitted that prima facie evidence had been established against the accused and that his judicial custody was necessary to facilitate further investigation, including the arrest of his associates.

After hearing the submissions of the APP for the State and upon perusal of the case records, the Court remanded the accused in judicial custody till July 17 .

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