After the startling confessions of having conducted a staged encounter in the heart of Imphal city in 2009 by Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit, the much anticipated hearing of the pending case of the killing of Chungkham Sanjit on BT Road was held in the court of District and Sessions Judge, Imphal West at Uripok Cheirap Court today.
During the hearing, eight of the nine accused police personnel were present at the court.
Advocate Lakhikanta, Counsel of the accused party drew the attention of the Judge saying that as one of the accused, Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit, which is on suspension from duty, has made a confession in public that he himself had shot Chungkham Sanjit Meitei in 2009, it would be only logical to hold the hearing in his presence.
Drawing the attention of the case, Advocate Lakhikanta urged the Judge to give some time to find out the truth from Thounaojam Herojit.
The judge gave his consent on the request and fixed the hearing to be held on February 20.
On the other hand, Senior Special Advocate of CBI, P Ibomcha said, Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit is still an accused. As long as the Court has not given its judgment in connection with the case, no legal action can be taken against him, P Ibomcha said.
In connection with the confession by Head Constable Thounaojam Herojit that he killed Chungkham Sanjit Meitei in cold blood on orders from his superior, Akoijam Jhalajit- the then Adl SP, names of high ranking officers have been surfacing fueling the suspicion that many might have been involved in other fake encounter cases apart from the case of Chungkham Sanjit Meitei.
Meanwhile, family-members of Rabina who was killed by a stray bullet in the alleged crossfire is still waiting for justice.