CBI submits another charge sheet
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 16 2019: CBI submitted yet another charge sheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, against 5 cops in connection with the alleged fake encounter/extra judicial killing of one Irengbam Ratankumar by a team of Imphal West commando at Ningombam to Mongshangei inter-village road, near Vale Academy, under Singjamei PS, on September 1, 2010 .

The Court also registered a cril misc case in connection with the charge sheet today and fixed May 29 for taking up cognizance of the case.

The charge sheet was submitted by L Hangshing, Additional SP CBI, ACB Imphal, SIT, Manipur, against Inspector Nandeibam Jatishwar s/o (L) Birahari of Heirangoithong Chingtham Leikai, Head Constable James Panmei s/o Meithaingam Panmei of Longmai village part III, Rifleman Thounaojam Sanatomba s/o Amumacha of Haoreibi Mayai Leikai, Rifleman Okram Hemchandra s/o Biren of Thoubal Athokpam Makha Leikai and Rifleman Thokchom Ibomcha s/ o Ibotombi of Heirok Part II Bamon Leikai.

The charge sheet mentioned that a case was registered by CBI/ SIT New Delhi on February 27 last year, after taking over all case records and documents from Singjamei PS related to the death of Irengbam Ratankumar s/o Babu of Phoubakchao Awang Leikai who was killed on September 1, 2010, at Ningombam and Mongshangei inter-village road.

Investigation revealed that as per the official report of counter insurgency operation, it was found that a team of Imphal West commando, consisting of the accused cops mentioned in the charge sheet, under the command of then Sub Inspector Nandeibam Jatishwar, was deployed at Singjamei/Kakwa and Canchipur area from 2 pm to 9.40 pm of the said day.

The said commando team had left the unit at around 2.10 pm and returned at around 9.40 pm and on September 4, a few days after the incident, N Jatishwar had submitted a written request to the SP Imphal West for replacement of ammunition which were fired during the alleged encounter on September 1 .

Investigation further revealed that on September 1, N Jatishwar had submitted a written report to OC Singjamei police that an encounter took place at Ningombam to Mongshangei IVR road, near Vale Academy, between his commando team and some unknown insurgents at around 8 pm after which then 2nd OC of Singjamei police registered a case.

Singjamei police team went to the spot and conducted a search of the incident site and recovered one .32 pistol with a magazine, 2 live .32 ammunition rounds, one empty case of .32 cartridge, a piece of white paper in which 'chahigi loukhatgabada senpham' were written, a Chinese hand grenade and 4 empty 9mm pistol rounds/cartridges, along with the body of the victim.

However, on the other hand, investigation revealed that the family members of the victim, residents of Phoubakchao Awang Leikai and the aunt of the victim staying at Imphal, all stated that Irengbam Ratankumar was abducted by three/four unknown individuals who came in a car (MN04 -A -4522) from near Shija Hospital at around 3.30 pm and then was later killed in the alleged fake encounter/ extra judicial killing by Imphal West commando personnel.

The post mortem report also revealed that the deceased sustained ten firearm injuries and one lacerated wound while two deformed projectiles were also recovered from the body.

It was found that the two projectiles recovered from the body during post mortem, were 7.62mm AK rounds and had been fired from a 7.62 mm calibre AK 47 or AK type rifle as defined in the Arms Act.

On the other hand, the .32 pistol which was claimed to have been recovered from the incident site, was also a serviceable improvised pistol designed to chamber 7.65 mm calibre pistol cartridges, the investigation found.

The charge sheet further mentioned that on the day of alleged encounter, accused N Jatishwar was the only commando personnel carrying a 9mm pistol and Jatishwar himself claimed that he had fired 3 bullets from his allotted 9mm pistol, and there was no other personnel in the team who carried or fired from a 9mm pistol during the encounter.

So recovery of a fourth empty cartridge of 9mm pistol round is highly doubtful, it reasoned.

On the other hand, the piece of paper which was also claimed to have been recovered from the trouser of the victim, was intact and no bullet mark or blood stain were found on it.

Investigation further revealed that Ratankumar was staying at his aunt's place at Langol Housing Complex and on the day of his death, he had gone out from the house at around 11 am after having his meal, for fishing near Shija Hospital.

The charge sheet further mentioned that the accused cops were not arrested during the investigation and as such prayed for necessary orders to be issue to secure their appearance so that they may be tried for the offence as per the law.

It also appealed for clubbing all FIRs related to the case.

After hearing all the submission, the Court fixed May 29 for taking up cognizance of the case.

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