A Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Anand, supported by material evidence indicating his involvement
TFM Report
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant bail to Moirangthem Anand Singh, an alleged operative of the banned insurgent group People’s Liberation Army (PLA), in a case related to a transnational terror conspiracy. The case involves terror outfits based in Myanmar allegedly conspiring to wage war against the Government of India by exploiting the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur.
A Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Anand, supported by material evidence indicating his involvement.
“Considering the volatile situation in Manipur and the circumstances that had earlier led to his release on bail, including protests, it is clear that granting him bail would pose a flight risk and could lead to witness tampering, as well as a deterioration of law and order,” the court stated.
The court also emphasized the serious nature and gravity of the allegations against Anand, stating that the charges have far-reaching implications for public order and national security.
Moirangthem Anand was arrested in September 2023 by Manipur Police while traveling with four others in a vehicle. They were allegedly dressed in police camouflage and were found carrying sophisticated firearms and ammunition.
According to police reports, Anand is a former cadre of the PLA, with a history of multiple arrests. He was previously taken into custody in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009. Later, he joined the Kangleipak Communist Party (Noyon Group) and was arrested again in 2010 by Lamphel Police Station. Following this, he was detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
Anand had challenged the Special NIA Court’s order dated August 24, 2024, which had dismissed his bail application. However, the Delhi High Court upheld the decision.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had, on September 21, 2023, transferred the case from Manipur Police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), New Delhi, after widespread protests erupted, demanding the unconditional release of Anand and his four co-accused.
While the four co-accused have been granted bail, Anand remains in judicial custody.
According to Manipur Police, one INSAS rifle with four magazines containing 78 live rounds, one SLR rifle with three magazines containing 50 live rounds and two .303 rifles, each with one magazine containing five live rounds were recovered from the vehicle Anand was traveling in:
These weapons were identified as part of those looted from government armories during the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
Anand is accused of being a senior member of the PLA, a proscribed terrorist organization listed under the First Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He is currently lodged at the Central Jail, Kamrup, Assam.