The High Court of Manipur on Wednesday heard the petition filed by the mother of late Akoijam Nongnganba, seeking justice for the brutal killing of her son in 2023.
The case, which has drawn widespread public attention, involves the alleged involvement of cadres from the NSCN (I-M), a militant organisation under a ceasefire agreement with the central government.
The petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeks a directive to transfer the investigation of the case to the NIA due to concerns about the impartiality and efficacy of the ongoing investigation by the state police.
The petition contends that the investigation has been hampered by the political complexities surrounding the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre.
The tragic events unfolded on February 12, 2023, when the body of Akoijam Nongnganba, a bachelor, was discovered at Changoubung Village, around 3 kilometers from Kangpokpi police station.
According to the petition, Nongnganba had left home the previous evening, accompanied by a friend, but never returned.
His family initially believed he might have stayed at his resort, ‘Cicada.’ However, the following day, the mother received a devastating phone call from an unknown person, informing her that her son’s body had been found.
Eyewitness accounts and subsequent investigations revealed that Nongnganba had been abducted and brutally assaulted and his body bore multiple injuries consistent with severe blunt force trauma, indicating a violent and premeditated attack.
The postmortem report confirmed that the cause of death was intracranial haemorrhage due to blunt force injuries to the head, strongly suggesting a homicide.
Police investigation revealed that members of the NSCN (I-M), a militant group engaged in peace talks with the government, were allegedly involved in the murder.
Despite the seriousness of the crime and the involvement of a proscribed organisation, the petitioner argues that the state police have failed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, citing political constraints related to the ceasefire agreement.
During Thursday's proceedings, a single bench of the high court Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh issued a notice of motion to the respondents, returnable on October 22.
The petition highlights the failure of the current investigation to bring the culprits to justice and emphasises the need for an impartial probe by the NIA, which has the expertise to investigate crimes involving organisations like the NSCN (I-M).
The petitioner seeks to ensure that justice is served for her son and that the investigation is carried out without any external influence or bias.
Senior advocate Khaidem Mani appeared on behalf of the petitioner, assisted by advocate Meihoubam Rakesh.
