Guest lecturers' bail plea rejected
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08 2022: The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West-I has rejected bail applications of two female guest lecturers of SIMS and remanded them in judicial custody till December 22 .

The two co-accused, Nonibala Chanu alias Soina Yambem (29) of Bamon Kampu and Laishram Kun-jarani (28) of Top Khong- nang Makhong, after evading police for more than three months, had surrendered before the Court earlier in connection with the alleged kidnapping and rape of a student by prime accused Yumnam Surjit-kumar, managing director cum founder of Saina Institute of Medical Science (SIMS) on August 14 last.

When the two co-accused were presented before the Court today, members of a Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the case gathered in front of the Lamphel Court gate.

Police, however, took measures and prevented the angry JAC members from storming the Court complex.

Notably, the two co-accused were produced before the Court today after completion of their police custody period.

Inside the Court, the Investigating Officer of the case submitted that during police custody interrogation, the two admitted that they had allegedly lured the victim girl to join a picnic organised by the Students Union of SIMS and its managing director Yumnam Surjitkumar on August 14 .

They allegedly admitted that as teachers they failed to protect the victim and abandoned her with the main accused Yumnam Surjit-kumar and another co-accused identified as SK Wajid Shah.

The Investigating Officer submitted that there is both substantive as well as corroborative evidence that Yumnam Surjitkumar, in collusion with SK Wajid Shah, and supported by the two guest lecturers had conspired to abduct, confine and conceal the victim against her will.

It was also submitted in the Court that the two teachers have not revealed the whereabouts of Yumnam Surjitkumar and SK Wajid Shah, who are allegedly the masterminds behind the commission of the heinous crime.

The investigation is in a crucial and final stage.

If the accused guest lecturers are given bail, there is every possibility that they might abscond further and try to influence important prosecution witnesses, said the prosecutor and prayed for judicial custody remand of the two.

The Court, after hearing the submissions, rejected the bail application and remanded both the guest lecturers in judicial custody till December 22 .

It may be noted here that the JAC, formed in connection with the case, on December 6, had threatened to call bandh on National Highway 102 (Imphal-Moreh) if all involved in the case are not arrested within three days.

Police have not yet traced or arrested main accused Yumnam Surjitkumar and co-accused SK Wajid Shah.

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