Death of goldsmith: CJM orders judicial inquiry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2022: The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West has directed the authority concerned to initiate a judicial inquiry in connection with the death of goldsmith Arambam Nanao on May 2 .

This order was passed today as per a petition filed by the mother of the deceased against the State of Manipur through Chief Secretary and OC Imphal Police Station.

Today at around 4.45 pm, the mother of the deceased filed another appli- cation under Section 176 of the CrPC before the Court to institute an independent inquiry into the death of her son.

As per the applicant, the deceased expired at RIMS Hospital and it was later known that her son was tortured in police station as there were many bruises and contusions all over the body.

Death of goldsmith CJM orders judicial inquiry

The Court after hearing the petitioner's counsel directed Robert Lhungdim (MJS), Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal West - II to initiate a judicial inquiry into the 'custodial death' of Nanao Singh and submit the report within two weeks.

The Magisterial Inquiry should cover circumstances leading to the death of the deceased, manner and sequence of incidents leading to death, cause of death and ascertain if any police personnel failed to safeguard the life of the deceased or whether any property or cash was seized from the deceased.

The Court also directed the Magistrate to examine and verify the records of inquest and post mortem report, cause of death and general diary (GD)/ FIR or any other relevant records in connection with the arrest of the deceased among others.

The Court order also mentioned that the directions were passed to facilitate the judicial inquiry and no transfer of posting should be made to any police personnel being posted at Imphal Police Station until the inquiry is completed and the mortal remains should not be cremated or disposed of until necessary inquiry is completed.

In the meantime, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West remanded the Sub Inspector of Manipur police who was suspended for his alleged involvement in the death of goldsmith Arambam Nanao on May 2 to six day police custody, today.

Sub Inspector Thokchom Jitendro, s/o Gopal of Heinoukhongnembi Thokchom Leikai was produced before the Court under tight security by a team of Imphal police as the irate family members of the deceased and others tried to attack the accused.

The Court heard IO of the case through APP who submitted that on May 3 at around 1.30 am, one Arambam Kombirei Devi of Sagolband Kangabam Leikai lodged a complaint to Imphal police station, claiming that her son Arambam Nanao Singh (35) was abducted by 3/4 unknown persons in civil dress who came in a car from a place near Sagolband Kangabam Leikai the previous day (May 2) at around 9.30 am.

Claiming that Sub Inspector Jitendro came in a Honda Activa later and asked them to come to Imphal police station, the complainant claimed that the police team in civil dress also picked up Nanao's car (Maruti Swift) which was parked on the roadside.

Saying that she went to the police station at around 10.30 am and was made to sign a paper for her son's arrest, the IO claimed that the police team took Nanao Singh to his residence at around 4 pm.

Further stating that the police didn't allow anyone to enter the room and pushed the brother and the grandmother of the deceased back for trying to enter the room, the IO said that Nanao was brought out of his room in an unconscious state and later evacuated to RIMS Hospital by two police personnel (one in uniform and another in civil dress) .

Unfortunately, Nanao expired at RIMS Hospital, the IO said and asked the Court to remand the accused to six days police custody to investigate the case.

The defence counsel of the accused, on the other hand, submitted that there are reports of Arambam Nanao Singh consuming poison ahead of his death and prayed for a shorter police remand period.

The Court after hearing both parties remanded the accused to police custody till May 10 .