He was arrested on February 2 in connection with a FIR registered against him for a viral message directly instigating and provoking the public to rise up for a large scale violence against the government
TFM Deskl
The Special Judge (NIA), Imphal Weet on Thursday remanded Youth of Manipur leader Laishram Bidyananda@ Kangleipak Hulk into police custody for five more days till February 12.
He was arrested on February 2 in connection with a FIR registered against him for a viral message directly instigating and provoking the public to rise up for a large scale violence against the government.
Meanwhile, the accused filed an application through counsel praying for releasing him on bail.
Counsel prayed for considering the bail application without the signature of the accused as he is produced through video conference, which is also allowed.
According to the police record, the case is that a viral voice message surfaced in various social media is likely to disturb the maintenance of harmony, public order in the state, etc. The record also mentioned that during investigation, evidences come up linking the accused with a proscribed organisation.
The accused was first produced before the JMFC, IW-I on February 2 and remanded him into February 5. He was produced further after completion of police custody. Further again, he was remanded into four days police custody by CJM, Imphal West.
At the time of production before the CJM, Imphal West Section 25 (1-AB) Arms Act and Sec. 13/16 of UA (P) Act were added. On Thursday, police added section 66-F IT Act, 2000 has been added.
The Special PP submitted that requisition has been submitted to the SP, Imphal West to depute expert team for collection of voice sample for analysis and comparison of the viral voice message. Steps have been taken by making requisition to Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh. The previous speech of the accused at the public platform and social media is similar to the present viral voice message. Due steps have been taken to identify the social media platforms regarding the voice. It is also submitted that further police custody of the accused is required for collecting material evidences.
However, the counsel of the accused submitted that the accused is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the case. The counsel also submitted that there are no material evidences against the accused in as much as the alleged offences are not attracted in the present case.
From the submission of Special PP and counsel of the accused, the court observed that it finds voice message which is reproduced in the remand prayer of the IO contains some part of hate speech. “At the present stage considering the steps taken by the IO, so the court opted for giving a free hand to the IO to investigate the case further will be just and proper and sent Bidyananda to police custody.