Loitam Richard's case handed over to Corps of Detective
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 06 2012: In the backdrop of the outrage here in Manipur, over the controversial death of Richard Loitam in Bangalore, the Karnataka Government has formally handed over the case to Corps of Detective, a crack investigative unit of the CID, special Units, Karnataka police.

DG & IGP Lalrokhuma Pachau who is also CID DGP told DNA that the CID was asked to get to the heart of the matter and the agency took charge of the probe on Tuesday.

The latest development in the case was conveyed to newspersons by Manipur pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party president Sh Shantikumar, who returned from Bangalore this afternoon.

It is said that an official order for transferring the Richard Loitam case to the Corps of Detective was issued on June 5 by the BJP-ruled Karnataka Government.

A B'Arch student of Acharya Institute of Technology richard Loitam, who was from Uripok, was found dead in his hostel room on April 18 .

The Karnataka CID unit has been advised to probe the matter based on the complaint filed by Acharya Institute of Technology New Hostel supervisor S sudhakar at Madanayakanahalli police station on the same day Richard was found dead in his hostel bed, informed the BJP president who also handed over copies of the case transfer order to newspersons.

Students protesting at Bangalore-File

Shantikumar affirmed that in case investigation by the Detectives is not convincing to any section of the people, BJP will pursue alternative measures to ensure that justice is not denied to the aggrieved family.

He also conveyed that while in Bangalore he met the Karnataka Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DGP highlighted the outcries raised here.

Shantikumar also informed that he urged the three to find the truth on the circumstances that resulted in Richard's dead.

In response to posers from the Karnataka CM and Home Minister on what course of action he would proposed, Shantikumar said he insisted on handing over the case to the CBI as well as re-examination of Richard's vital organs at AIIMS to establish veracity on the cause of Richard's demise.

Citing lack of cordiality between the CBI and the BJP the Karnataka leaders suggested that the case be entrusted to the corps of Detective unit of Karnataka CID, Special Branch and consequently effected the case transfer order, informed the State unit BJP chief.

clarifying on the belated order for entrusting the investigation task to the Detective team, he said transfer of the Karnataka DGP and Principal Secretary (Home) recently caused the slight delay in formally transferring the case.

During his visit to Bangalore, it came to light that an organisation called Manipur Meitei Association, Bangalore had been seriously pursuing the case, Shantikumar informed and conveyed that nearly 30,000 people from Manipur studying as well as working in Bangalore also desired expeditious investigation and justifiable conclusion on Richard's death.

Confiding that he also met representatives of six student organisations of Manipur at Bangalore, Shantikumar maintained that all the misunderstandings between the student bodies and BJP apparently caused by communication gap have been cleared during interaction.

While asserting that BJP has been taking all possible measures to find the truth about Richard's controversial death, shantikumar questioned as to what steps Government of Manipur has initiated on the issue.

The State BJP leader also urged civil society organisations and student bodies spearheading various agitations in connection with the case to exercise maximum restrain and refrain from any acts that could imperil Manipuris working or studying in Karnataka.