The High Court of Manipur has admitted the ‘letter petition’ filed by the wife of TFM journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem. The matter has been listed for Friday before the bench of Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar and Justice Kh Nobin Singh
TFM Desk
In a historic first, the High Court of Manipur has admitted the ‘letter petition’ filed by the wife of TFM journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem.
The matter has been listed for Friday before the bench of Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar and Justice Kh Nobin Singh.
In her letter petition addressed to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, Elangbam Ranjita recalled that her husband was arrested on May 13, 2021, by the Imphal Police Station for uploading a statement on Facebook — “Santhi Sanyungna Yadrabo oh!!! RIP # Rashikang Kangyet Hayeng Nga Chaani”
An FIR was lodged being FIR No. 75(05)2021 IPS u/s 153-A/505(b)(2) IPC read with 295-A/503/504/34 IPC and arrested accordingly. Whereas, for Erendro Leichombam, another FIR being No. 76(05)2021 IPS having the same sections was registered, after complaints by the members of state BJP unit.
She added that her husband was produced before the Duty Magistrate on May 14, 2021 and remanded to police custody till July 17, 2021. The Imphal West CJM granted bail on July 17. However, during his police custody and soon after the bail was granted (after rejecting the remand prayer made by three police station simultaneously) by the concerned Chief Judicial magistrate, Imphal West, Manipur, he was slapped with National security Act along with Erendro Leichombam, who was also been arrested relating with a Facebook post of similar nature.
“My husband have never acted in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state and to the maintenance of public order,” Ranjita said in the petition and argued that her husband’s post was a “very sincere expression for not agreeing with the unscientific treatment of the said present corona pandemic, where even the scientific test are being done on the experimental basis”.
“The said caption was not aimed to hurt the feelings of anyone or any group but rather a disagreement with the treatment by using cow dung and cow urine which has no scientific basis,” she added.
Ranjita further mentioned that after Erendro approached the Supreme Court of India for quashing of the NSA, he got his relief on July 19, on the very day of listing his petition and even on interim measure by observing he can’t be detained any longer and even for a day.
As such he was released from the Central Jail Sajiwa as the matter became serious and was directly against the Article-21 of the Indian Constitution which is what the Supreme Court observed. Accordingly, the concerned home department of Manipur has also revoked the same on July 19 itself, in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s order, she added.
The Supreme Court case filed by Erendro is still pending for further proceedings and fixed for the first week of August 2021.
Ranjita also informed that given the development, she approached the concerned Home Department (Chief Secretary) of Manipur and District Magistrate on Wednesday for revoking the NSA slapped against her husband (through emails), since all the allegations, sections whatsoever are similar to both the cases. However, the same has not been responded to yet, she added.
She also mentioned that former retired Supreme Court Justice, Markandey Katju, senior advocate Prashant Bhusan and many persons and legal luminaries have opined in social media for revoking the NSA slapping against her husband.
Ranjita submitted that due to the present COVID-19 pandemic, neither she nor her family members are in a position to run around for the release of my husband, in spite of the readiness to do so.It may be mentioned that, letter petition is an informal written communication, addressed to the High Court or the Chief Justice or any Judge of the High Court.