IT News
Imphal, April 18:
Senior spokesperson of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, strongly refuted rumours circulating on social media linking him to the ongoing case in the Supreme Court concerning the alleged leaked audio involving former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Addressing media persons in Imphal, Bupenda clarified that he has no involvement in the case and has not signed any vakalatnama on behalf of either the petitioner or the respondent. He categorically denied appearing as legal counsel in the matter and said that such misinformation was being deliberately spread to malign his image and that of the Congress party.
“The rumours are being spread with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Congress Party and myself,” he stated, adding that such tactics, in the current volatile situation of Manipur, amount to intimidation and pose threats to life and property.
Bupenda further alleged that the individuals behind the false narratives are either members of the BJP or its supporters. He issued a stern warning to those circulating the posts, demanding that they delete the content within 12 hours from the time of his media statement. Failure to do so, he said, would result in legal action.
The Congress leader informed that he had sent a formal complaint through WhatsApp to the Governor via his secretary, as well as to the Director General of Police (DGP), Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), and the Chief Secretary. He also mentioned plans to escalate the matter by sending complaints to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Union Home Minister.
MPCC Vice President Hareshwar Goswami and other party leaders were present during the press briefing. The MPCC President K. Meghachandra had earlier also defended Bupenda, asserting that dragging the senior Congress member’s name into the case was a deliberate attempt to defame both him and the party.
Prior to the press conference, Bupenda had addressed the issue on his social media account, stating:
“There is a rumour going around that I have appeared as an advocate for the petitioner in the alleged leaked audio tape case in the Supreme Court. I have to inform you all that I am not a counsel or advocate of the petitioner or any party or the respondent in the said case. It is extremely unfortunate to see the spread of rumour and false news dragging my name in a matter I am not connected with. Please don’t spread rumour.”
He reiterated that legal steps would be initiated against individuals spreading such baseless claims.
