IMPHAL, June 24: The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal West has rejected the bail pleas of two accused persons arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of baby Lungnila Elizabeth.
CJM, Imphal West, RK Memcha Devi has refused the bail petitions of Heisnam Ningol Prem Devi, 57, daughter of (L) Yaima of Nongmaikhong Awang Leikai and Laishram Biren Singh alias Suresh, 45, son of (L) Thambalngou Singh of Pukhao Naharup.
The two co-accused in their bail pleas had mentioned that they were wrongly implicated in the murder case.
Heisnam Prem Devi submitted her plea on April 30 while Biren submitted his on May 15.
The CBI in it bail objection report maintained that they are both conspirators of the abduction and had received the ransom amount of Rs 15 lacs. The case finding of the investigation agency mentioned that in 2001, the state government had allotted 47 acres of land to a society called Paradise Youth Development Organisation.
The land was claimed by two members of the society and matters of the land dispute led to the taking the help of KNF by one side and that of KCP by another. The KCP faction led by Th Nando and Okram Deven alias Arnold negotiated with KNF led by Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki to back out from the land dispute.
As a condition, James Kuki demanded the assistance of Th Nando in kidnapping baby Elizabeth, which resulted to the incident.
But, subsequent arrest of Nando and his disclosure implicated the petitioner Laishram Biren Singh alias Biren alias Raju, Arnold, James Kuki, Rome and an aunty of Elizabeth.
It was also stated that baby Elizabeth was kept in a house at Kangvai village and after a few days, the aunty brought her back to Imphal and kept her at Sangaiporou area at the house of a friend of James Kuki.
Further investigation also revealed that Suresh (the petitioner) was also an active member of KCP.
Similarly, the Court was also of the view regarding the findings of the CBI that both L Biren and Prem Devi are guilty of the alleged offenses. Since, the investigation is still ongoing, the court opined that no case is made out for releasing the accused on bail and hence rejected the bail plea.
The judgement was pronounced on June 23. It may be mentioned that two co-accused of the case are still absconding at present.