By A Staff Reporter
Imphal, June 23: The present superintendent of Imphal West police, Akoijam Jhalajit was hauled to the court in connection with hearing of the fake encounter case of the July 23 Khwairamband Keithel killing.
One of the most sensational encounter cases in Manipur, resulted in the killing of Chungkham Sanjit Meitei, son of Ch Khelen Singh of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai/IE and Thokchom (o) Rabina Devi, wife of Th Chinglensana of Lamdeng Khunou near Lamshang Bazar/ IW.
The hearing and cross examination of Jhaljit took place at the court of the District and Session Judge, Manipur East, today.
It may be recalled that the Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case on January 16, 2010 following the handing over of the case by the state government to the investigating agency, with case No. RC IMP 2010S0001.
The CBI after an investigation submitted its charge sheet to the said court for necessary court proceedings.
AK Jhaljit , SP /IW appeared today in the court as one of the prosecution witness of the said fake encounter case.
At the time of incident, he was holding the charge of addl SP (Ops) of Imphal West District police. The cross examination of AK Jhaljit’s was conducted by the CBI counsel, P. Ibomcha.
Mention may be made that Sanjit’s corpse was found inside Maimu pharmacy of BT road on the day of the incident.
The incident took place during peak hour on the busy street of BT road in the morning around 10: 45, on July 23, 2009.
Rabina’s lifeless body was found some distance away from Shamu Makhong near the entrance of Ima Keithel of the same road.
The City Police Station instantly had registered a case in connection with the incident as an encounter between UGs and police commando personnel of Imphal West under FIR No. 75(7)2009 City PS U/S 302/326/307/506 IPC, Section 17/20 UA (P) Act and 25 (1B) Arms Act.
It may also be recalled that the Delhi based Weekly magazine ‘Tehelka’ on August 1, 2009 published a detailed report of the incident with photographs shedding light to the incident.
It revealed that Sanjit was taken inside Maimu pharmacy by police commandos and later showed his dead body being brought out. Following the Tehelka report, intense agitations were taken out by the public decrying the fake encounter incident. Intense agitation erupted across the state demanding justice against the killing and fitting punishment to the guilty policemen.
The City police station then registered yet another case bearing FIR No. 82(8)2009 City PS U/S 302/34 IPC and Section 27 (3) Arms Act. However, the case was referred to the CBI.
In regard to the incident, the mother of deceased Sanjit registered yet another PIL petition to the then Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench bearing case number 1 of 2010. The order was given on December 23rd, 2009 by a division bench comprising of Justice Maibam BK Singh and Justice Ashok Potshangbam. It may be mentioned that some police personnel who were suspended in regard to the case has been re-instated to service.
