Two active cadres of a proscribed militant outfit who were apprehended by a team of Imphal East district commando on September 12 from Takhel village, Imphal East were formally arrested by Women police station, Imphal East on Tuesday in connection with the FIR case registered under POCSO Act, 2012.
The arrested persons were identified as Leishangthem Khomei Singh, 53 years, of Haraorok Mayai Leikai, Imphal East district and Khangembam Sanjoy Singh @ Athoi @ Pambei, 28 years, of Kumbi Setapur Maning Leikai, Bishnupur district.
The two were produced before the court by Lamlai police with a prayer for 15-day judicial custody in connection with the FIR case registered under UA(P) Act.
While the accused were being produced before the court, a group of women, identifying themselves as families of the rape victim, and localities stormed the Cheirap Court, protesting and displaying placards that said: "Sanjoy and Khomei are rapists, they should not be released on bail".
While producing them for judicial custody by the Lamlai Police before the court, a formal arrest prayer was submitted by the IO of Women PS, Imphal East in connection with the minor rape case.
Leishangthem Khomei Singh was produced physically before the court while Khangembam Sanjoy Singh @ Athoi @ Pambei was produced via VC as he is now admitted at JNIMS Hospital due to some ailments.
The IO of Women PS, after arresting them formally, prayed for police custody remand of the accused persons till September 21.
Allegation against the accused persons is that they were involved in sexually assaulting the victim. From the case record, it was found that the minor victim was raped by L Khomei in 2018 and the case against him was registered at Women PS, Imphal East under section 354(B)/506/212/34 IPC and the case has been charge sheeted. He was lodged at Sajiwa jail till 2021 where he stayed together with Sanjoy and was released on bail in August 2021. Khangembam Sanjoy was accused of sexually assaulting the same minor victim on gun point on September 12 at Takhel village.
From the police report it is also noted that Sanjoy had been arrested four times and had been at Sajiwa jail in the year 2012, 2014 and 2021 under UA(P) Act and released on bail in March, 2021.
The police, while submitting the police custody prayer, submitted that from facts and circumstances established that the crime was committed in collusion or common intention of the accused persons.
After hearing the submission, the court opined that there are sufficient materials to prima facie to presume that both the accused persons committed the alleged offences and thus, they were remanded to police custody till September 21 for enabling the IO to investigate the case properly.
