IMPHAL, April 21: The issue over the incident of an Assam Rifles major allegedly misbehaving with a sitting judge of the Guwahati High Court Imphal Bench Justice T Nanda Kumar (TNK Singh) magnified today with representatives of the High Court Bar Association Manipur submitting their memorandum to the concern union ministers and high officials of the defence and military departments appealing them to take up necessary disciplinary actions against the erring officer.
The association held a press conference in this regard at their office complex this evening.
Speaking at the press conference, secretary High Court Association, Manipur N Jotendro Singh stated that the association strongly condemned the act of the AR official and as such an emergency meeting was convened yesterday at the association office complex.
He further stated that after due deliberation on the issue, the members present at the meeting had resolved to bring the act of misbehavior and disrespect committed by the AR official to the notice of the concern authorities including the Prime Minister of the country, Union Home Minister, Union Defence Minister, the chief of Army Staff, the general officer commanding, Eastern Command and IGAR South for taking up necessary action against the errant officer.
On the other hand to mark the protest against the incident, as decided in yesterday’s meeting the members of High Court Bar Association have abstained from attending their duties today, he added.
Meanwhile the memorandum has elaborately recalled the incident that, on April 20 around 10 am when Justice TNK Singh of the Guwahati High Court was on his way along the Imphal Kangchup road to attend the inaugural function of district Court Complex, Lamphelpat organized by the state government, major Momo Sapam, post commander, C-Coy 28th AR posted at Chingamathak Post, Imphal committed acts of misbehavior and showed disrespect towards the said High Court Judge.
It also elaborated that, the incident occurred near the Johnstone Higher Secondary School, when the Army Gypsy vehicle of Major Momo Sapam did not give way to the convoy of the judge inspite of the signals given by the pilot vehicle of the judge’s convoy.
At that time, the judge was traveling in the official car allotted by the Guwahati High Court with the Indian tricolor flying and seal and emblem of Guwahati High Court promptly shown in front and back of the car.
It also mentioned that, because of the abrupt movement made by the Gypsy of major Momo Sapam the official car of the judge had to put on emergency brake putting the judge in danger of physical injuries. Further, Major Momo Sapam chased down the convoy upto Lamphel court complex where the inauguration was taking place.
In total disregard of discipline and decorum, major Momo Sapam forcibly proceeded towards the judge who by then was sitting at the venue of the inaugural function and asked him to come out inspite of objections made by some members of the Bar and police officials present there.
It is only when high ranking police officials of the rank of DIG and others intervened into the matter that the major left the place.
The memorandum also mentioned that, the members of the High Court Bar Association, Manipur after due consideration, in its special emergency meeting held yesterday, strongly condemned the misbehavior and indiscipline shown by major Momo Sapam not only towards Justice TNK Singh but also towards the Judicial institutions of the country.
