Imphal, May 14: After prolonged deferment, the date for hearing final argument of the Thangjam Manorama Devi case would be listed at the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court within a weeks� time, informed a reliable source.

Citing various reasons, the Court had deferred date of final hearing on three occasion, the source recalled, adding that by the third week of the current month, the case might be heard.

Government Advocate (High Court) Thokchom Ibohal Singh will leave for Guwahati for initiating the matter, the source disclosed.

The Court would hear the final argument on three cases, the main petition and two other Misc applications, all of which have been clubbed together.

Assam Rifles filed the main petition questioning legality of setting up the judicial inquiry by the State Government to inquire into facts and circumstances leading to the death of Manorama.

One Misc application was filed by the State seeking permission to process the finding of the probe report while the other was put up by Assam Rifles authorities to allow DNA matching of blood samples collected from the AR personnel and the semen stain found on the undergarment of the 31 year old woman victim.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Imphal had rejected the AR contention in its Misc case.

Hence, the CJM�s verdict was also challenged in the same Misc application before the Principal Seat.

By virtue of an interim verdict passed by the principal seat on the main petition filed by AR restricting publication of the probe findings without the consent of the Court, the State cannot peruse such findings.

Retired Judge C Upendra, who conducted the judicial inquiry submitted his report to the Government on November 22, 2004.It may recalled here that 32-year old Manorama�s multiple bullet riddled body was found bear Yaipharok Maring village on July 11, 2004 after having picked up from her Bamon Kampu residence by the troopers of 17 Assam Rifles the previous night.

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