IMPHAL, February 4: A ruling of the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench has rejected an anticipatory bail plea by a former MLA who has been charged with shooting and killing a man at the later`s residence.
According to information received by IFP, the former MLA has been identified as Sehpu alias Sehtinpao, 60 son of (L) Mangkhothong, of Old Lambulane, Imphal West. He was an MLA representing Churachandpur district 57 Singlep (ST) Assembly Constituency.
On September 7, 2012 Sehpu had allegedly gone to S Nabil village and shot dead the Chief of the village identified as Henthang Haokip alias Henkhothang, 60, son of (L) Nehkhothang Haokip at his residence.
During the incident Sephu was accompanied by two other persons identified as Lamkhong Haokip, son of (L) Tingthang Haokip of S Nibil village and Thankholal, son of Jamkholal of Vongjang village.
Prior to the shooting incident, Henthang alias Henkhothang (the victim) was watching a Manipuri film on TV along with his son identified as Thenlenmang Haokip, 18 and two others identified as Thangnoh Haokip and Dongminthang Haokip inside his house.
Henthang was shot dead by Sehpu alias Sehtinpao who arrived with his two companions, who were already waiting for him when he went outside to take a break.
After hearing the gun shots, Henthang’s son Thenlenmang along with the other two persons who were watching TV inside their house came outside and saw Sehpu and his two companions escaping from the scene.
Henthang was rushed to the Churachandpur district hospital on a Tata Sumo available at the village.
An army ambulance had also helped to take Henthang to the hospital from Ngangkhalawai.
Hethang had revealed the identities of the persons who attacked him before he succumbed to his injuries at Churachandpur district hospital.
In regard with the incident, a murder case was registered at Moirang police station under FIR No 90 (9) 2012 Moirang PS U/S 302/34 IPC, 120B IPC & 25 (I-C) Arms Act, according to the complaint filed by Henthang’s son Thenlenmang Haokip.
During the investigation of the case by the police, it was revealed according to the recorded statements of the prosecution witnesses including the complainant, Thenlenmang Haokip that the cause of Hethang`s murder was a follow up action of a fight to gain the S Nabil village chieftanship status.
Police had raided the house of the prime accused, Sehpu alias Sehtinpao at Old Lambulane three times during December 28 to February 2 last but failed to arrest him.
Sehpu who is still in hiding however has applied for anticipatory bail as per Bail MISC (B) case No 131 of 2012 to Session Judge, Manipur West Court on November 12, but it was rejected by the court.
After the lower court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, he approached the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench with his anticipatory bail plea. However, it was rejected by a ruling of the court today.
It may be mentioned here that the police had approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Bishnupur on January 28 to announce the prime accused Sehpu alias Sehtinpao as an “absconder” following which, the court has taken up steps to announce Sehpu as a “Proclaimed Absconder.”