IMPHAL, Dec 10 (NNN): Justice (retired) P G Agarwal Commission of Inquiry investigating into the circumstances leading to the killing of Ch Sanjit and Th Rabina on the July 23, 2009 “fake” encounter of Imphal market (Khwairamband bazaar) has heard statements and appeals from the counsels representing the commission, police department and the accused at hotel Imphal today.
Unable to make any breakthrough the commission has fixed December 29 as the next date of hearing for the case.
Hearing submissions from S Devendra Singh, an accused, through his counsel N Santosh Singh that stated that in view of his pending criminal trail before the Sessions Court, he may not be asked to make statement before the Commission at this stage lest it may prejudice his case. It was further stated that S Devendra Singh is ready and willing to cooperate with the Inquiry Commission and will appear and make a statement after his statements are recorded in the criminal trial.
The counsel for the Commission, Th Modhu Singh, however invoked the provisions of section 6 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 and submitted an argument against the plea submitted by Devendra that the statement to be made by Devendra will not prejudice him any manner whatsoever.
The one man Commission has observed that Santosh Singh, counsel for Devendra, at this stage, has prayed for further time to make submissions and to refer to certain decisions in support of his plea.
The Commission also heard submission from Kumarjit Singh, counsel for the police department, that said Devendra Singh has in the meantime been transferred out and Inspector James has taken over as Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Commando (Cdo) Bazar Unit to which the commission directed that the required records may be called from him and that the present OC of Cdo Bazar Unit be directed to attend with relevant records regarding detailing of the police commandos on July 22, 23 and 24, 2009 and about any information available on record necessitating the detailment.
The commission pronounced that the matter relating to AK Jhalajit Singh, the then Additional Superintendent of Police of Imphal West and also an accused in the case, shall be considered on the next date of hearing which is fixed by the commission on December 29, 2010 at 10:30 am.
S Devendra Singh and AK Jhalajit Singh have been summoned by one-man Justice (retired) P G Agarwal Commission of Inquiry instituted to investigate the circumstances and nature leading to the July 23, 2009 Khwairamband Bazar “fake encounter” in which Ch Sajit, a former militant and Th Rabina, a pregnant house-wife, were killed and five other civilians injured. CBI had chargesheeted seven other police personnel besides the two, the trial for which was started on 28 September 2010 in the court of District and Session Judge, Imphal East.
