IMPHAL, Aug 16 : The High Court of Manipur today reserved the judgment on the criminal petition case filed by former JCILPS convenor Khomdram Ratan.
The final hearing of the case was heard by a Division Bench of Justice N Kotiswar and Justice Kh Nobin in Court room number 4 of the High Court of Manipur.
The hearing began at 10.30 am and continued for around 2 hours.
The judgment is likely to be announced within a few days.
A large number of volunteers from JCILPS Women Wing, JAC and Ratan’s wife were present at the hearing.
A large number of police personnel including women personnel were also seen present at Court complex.
Respondents of the case are Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP Manipur, Imphal West SP, Manipur Police PRO and Singjamei police station OC.
The petition was earlier heard before a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice RR Prasad and Justice S Serto.
However, it was later transferred to the Division Bench of Justice N Kotiswar and Justice Kh Nobin on July 22 last.
Manipur police declared Ratan as a wanted man after a photograph showing him purportedly taking oath from UNLF leader Nongyai while holding a flag of the banned outfit went viral on the social media on June 2 last.
However, Ratan in a press conference held at JCILPS office had claimed that the photograph was morphed and the Government was trying to suppress the pro-ILPS agitation.
He filed a petition at the High Court challenging the wanted tag on June 27. Another petition filed by Ratan’s wife against the wanted tag had already been rejected by a High Court Bench of Acting Chief Justice RR Prasad earlier. Manipur police announced Ratan as a wanted man through a statement issued by its PRO on June 2 night. The statement said that a cash award of Rs 5 lakh would be given to the individual who provides information about Ratan’s whereabouts.
Meanwhile, JCILPS former convenor L Nganbi expressed hope for a positive outcome from the Court judgment.
Speaking to reporters at Singjamei Wangma, Nganbi said that they still regard Khomdram Ratan as the convenor of JCILPS although he had resigned from the post.
She said that everybody is hoping that they would get to see a judgment in favour of the petitioner.
