Imphal, July 19: The hearing regarding a petition filed by former JCILPS Convenor Kh Ratan challenging the ‘Wanted’ tag on his person by the state government was held under Division bench Chief Justice RR Prasad and Justice S Serto today lasting for over two hours. According to the argument put up by the representatives of the petitioner namely Sr Advocate Khaidem Mani, Sr Advocate I Lalit and advocate Rakesh Meihoubam, proper procedures under section 82 of CrPC was not followed while proclaiming offender, and the fact that the Wanted status was announced by the police PRO through a press note in contravention of formal procedure and hence the Wanted tag should be quashed. Replying to the argument, the respondents represented by Advocate General Thokchom Ibohal and Addl Advocate General Namoijam Ibotombi contended that the police can proclaim an individual as Wanted under CrPC 157 citing various instances from the state and outside. The High court deemed the procedure unsatisfactory for not following section 82 of CrPC while proclaiming Ratan as absconder. Advocate general pleads for continuation of the deliberation on the next day to which the court gave its approval.
