In connection with the bail plea submitted by Salai founder Narengbam Samarjit, Special Judge NIA, Manipur, examined the report submitted by the medical officer regarding the accused person’s health condition and directed the state Directorate of Health Services to constitute a state medical board to confirm his medical conditions.
The court stated that the medical board also has to clarify whether the treatment of the accused would require a facility outside the Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa or the medical facilities provided by the Security Ward, JNIMS.
The medical report stated that the accused is having high blood pressure and high blood sugar; high cholesterol levels, right bundle branch block (abnormal heart electrical conduction) on ECG along with kidney stone in middle calyx of the right kidney as well as floating debris in urinary bladder. The medical officer reporting that the accused was found having social withdrawal, delusions and lack of sleep by the Psychiatry department, JNIMS.
NIA filed a charge sheet on March 3, 2021 against the applicant and four others, and the accused was arrested for commission of offences which attracted section 120B, 420 IPC and section 13 and 17 of UA (P) Act. He was produced before the court on March 31, 2021 remanded to police custody till April 12, 2021 and thereafter remanded to judicial custody till date.
While being in judicial custody, the accused complained of ill health and was reportedly suffering from hypertension, heart problem, diabetes mellitus type 2, right kidney stone, kidney and mental problems and prayed for bail.
The court had called the medical report in respect of the accused from the Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa (MCJ, Sajiwa) on January 25, 2022.
The Counsel for the accused submitted that the accused is a patient of hypertension, heart problem, diabetes mellitus type 2, right kidney stone, kidney and mental problems and that the accused was reportedly being treated at Jail MI Room as well as JNIMS.
It was further submitted that the condition of the accused/applicant would require intensive medical care outside the facilities of the Jail MI room and hence, prayed for releasing him on bail.
The special public prosecutor submitted that the accused had applied for bail three times. The first bail application was dismissed on September 22, 2021 by the court on finding that there is sufficient material in the charge sheet/case documents to prove the alleged charges against the accused.
The second bail application was dismissed on December 31, 2021 by the court with findings that the court is still of the view that material presented by the NIA are prima facie supporting the allegations against the accused.
It was submitted that the accused has every chance of challenging the above two orders before the High Court but instead opted for approaching the court for the third time, which is a ploy for delaying the proceedings of the connected Special Trial Case.
It was further submitted that neither the medical test report of the medical officer, Sajiwa Jail supports any previous medical history about the serious health condition of the accused nor did any consulting doctor recommend advanced medical treatment at special medical hospitals outside the jail premises.
Special public prosecutor also submitted that the report of January 27, 2022 submitted by the medical officer, MCJ, Sajiwa is not based on any medical test report enclosed with the report. It was also submitted that the medical officer, being a general medical practitioner, is not competent to provide expert opinion in relation to the diseases the accused is suffering from.
However, the court considered the view that some of the ailments mentioned in the medical report would eventually be life threatening. Therefore, it would do justice to both the parties, if the medical condition of the accused is verified by the expert(s) of the State Medical Board, Manipur, the court stated.
Special judge National Investigation Agency (NIA) Manipur, W Tonen Meitei had remanded the self-proclaimed external-defence minister of the Manipur State Council (MSC) Narengbam Samarjit to 15 days' judicial custody till April 26, 2021.
On March 23, the NIA filed a charge sheet against Yamben Biren and Narengbam Samarjit and their associates Narengbam Biswajit Singh, Elangbam Brojendro Singh, and Akoijam Deepa Anand under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Further, a non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued against N Samarjit and Yambem Biren.
