Three individuals accused in connection with the death of Thokchom Ibomcha on June 29 were remanded in judicial custody till August 6 by Special Judge, NIA, Imphal East on Tuesday.
The accused persons including the son of deceased person identified as Bhupendra Thokchom alias Bhupen, 38, of Khangabok Awang Leikai, Huirem Romenjit and Akoijam Surchandra were produced before the court through video conferencing after the completion of police custody period, along with prayer for judicial custody remand by a team of Singjamei Police Station on Tuesday afternoon.
The defense counsel of two accused persons filed a remand objection along with prayers for their release on bail.
During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the case was registered by Singjamei police station after an unknown body of male was found lying on the eastern side of the National Highway Imphal Moreh road near Lishang Hidden opposite M/S Mahaluxmi Gas Agency Chajing Mamang Leikai.
During the course of investigation, it is revealed that the accused Bhupendra Thokchom alias Bhupen was involved in the case and he had left Manipur on June 30 day after Thokchom Ibomcha’s body was found.
On July 13, Bhupendra surrendered himself before the investigating officer of the case and disclosed the name of co accused Romenjit and other associates in connection with the case. Bhupendra was taken into 10-days police custody remand on July 14.
On disclosure of Bhupendra, co-accused Huirem Romenjit was arrested on July 15 and surrendered before the Investigating Officer of the case, after which he was remanded in nine days police custody after being produced before the court on the same day.
In further course of investigation, another co accused Akoijam Surchandra also surrendered before the Investigating Officer of the case on July 17, and he was remanded in police custody for six days in connection with the case after being produced before the court on the same day.
The Additional Public Prosecutor further prayed for judicial custody remand of accused persons for proper investigation into the case.
After hearing the submission of the Additional Public Prosecutor, Defense Counsel, they were remanded in judicial custody till August 6.
Around 7 pm on June 29, body of Thokchom Ibomcha, 64, son of (L) Amuba of Khangabok Awang Leikai was found at a spot on the eastern side of the National Highway Imphal-Moreh road near Lishang Hidden opposite M/S Mahaluxmi Gas Agency Chajing Mamang Leikai.
