Assault and confinement case Court grants bail to 13 accused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 10 2021: The Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West has today ordered the release of 13 persons arrested in connection with the assault of Longjam Jibanlata and wrongful confinement on April 27 at Kakwa Naorem Leikai Amujao (Sofa) Leirak.

The order to release the accused on execution of PR bond of Rs 50,000 each and surety of the same, was passed today after it was kept reserved on May 7 after the hearing of bail application and prayer for judicial custody remand.

The accused persons identified as Naorem Sanajaoba (34), Naorem Babuloo (31), Naorem Ramesh (31), Naorem Tarukton, Naorem Sanatomba (65), Naorem Bipin (31), Naorem Bijen, Naorem Abem (35), Naorem Tarubi (37), Naorem Victoria (29), Naorem Elizabeth (29), Konthoujam Lendar (19) all from Kakwa Naorem Leikai and Elangbam Naocha of Langthabal Mantrikhong are however presently lodged in police custody remand till May 15 in connection with 6 different FIRs registered at Singjamei Police Station in connection with arson on February 28 at Kakwa Huidrom leikai.

During the May 7 hearing, APP of the State had submitted that investigation made so far and analysis of available video footage, it was clearly evident that the accused persons along with other absconding persons committed the offence of mob justice, assault, wrongful confinement of an aged lady and obstruction of police personnel on duty.

Further it was also submitted that accused persons were involved in a series of violent activities including burning down of houses of Longjam Pikto, Longjam Achou, Longjam Jibanlata, Keisham Ranjan and a godown of Mobel furniture.

At the time when mob justice is seriously viewed upon by the law of the State, the horrendous crime committed by the alleged accused persons were very serious offences and created terror and fear in the minds of the people and society at large, the APP said and prayed for judicial remand of the accused persons.

The defense counsel of accused persons on the other hand submitted that accused persons were booked under different sections of IPC and there was no prima facie evidence against them.

Partially admitting that the accused had committed the offence of wrongful confinement, the defence counsel stated that the same was a bailable offence and prayed for release of accused persons on bail.

The Court after hearing both sides at length and on perusal of the material on record including the injury report of the victim, observed that there was no prima facie material indicating that accused persons had committed the offence of causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons as the nature of injury caused to the victim was simple in nature.

It was further observed that there was no prima facie evidence that the accused persons actually assaulted the police personnel who attempted to rescue the victim and as such the offence as alleged was not made out.

Hence the Court ordered the release of all the accused persons on bail on execution of Rs 50,000 PR bond each, surety of same amount.

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