IMPHAL, August 2: The High Court of Manipur today dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by former MLA Sehpu Haokip, who is the main accused in the murder case of S Nabil village chief Henthang Haokip.
Henthang Haokip alais Henkhothang (60), son of (L) Nehkhomang Haokip, of S Nabil village in Churachandpur district was allegedly shot dead on September 7, 2012 at around 9 pm at his own residence by former MLA Sehpu Haokip alias Sehtinpao Haokip (57), son of (L) Mangkhothang, of S Nabil village, A/P Old Lambulane, Imphal along with two other identified as Lamkhomang Haokip, son of (L) Tingthang Haokip of S Nabil village and Thangkholal Haokip, son of Jamkholam Haokip of Vongjang village in Churachandpur district.
He succumbed to his injuries on the way to Churachandpur district hospital. There were three bullet holes on his body during post mortem.
Moirang police had taken up a case under FIR No 90 (9) 2012 MRG PS u/s 302/34 IPC & 25 (I-C) Arms Act in regard to the incident and the investigation for the case is still on.
Police had raided the houses of the three accused on September 8, 18, 23, and 29 and on October 5, 11 and 17 in 2012 but failed to arrest them.
Police also conducted surprise raids and home search on October 21st, 25th and 30th.
A court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bishnupur on November 19, 2012 declared the three accused as “Proclaimed Offender” and issued an arrest warrant for the three.
The three however did not surrender to the Court or the police and had been absconding all these time.
The former MLA who is the main accused in this case had filed anticipatory bail plea twice at the court of Sessions Judge, Manipur West, however the court rejected his petitions.
After the rejection, the accused approached the High Court of Manipur pleading for anticipatory bail. The court today dismissed the petition with the petitioner’s counsel withdrawing the case.
Sources said that the former MLA shot dead S Nabil village chief Henthang Haokip in follow up of a fight to claim the chieftain status of the S Nabil village.