The Session Judge, Imphal West on Wednesday granted bail to two persons who were arrested for transporting COVID-19 vaccine (Covishield) and test kits without any valid documents.
The two accused were released on bail after furnishing bail bond of Rs 50,000.
The accused have been identified as one Ningombam Baboi@ Boicha Singh (32), son of Ningombam Tomba Singh of Luker Maning Leikai, Lamphelpat, Imphal West and Victor Singh (22), son of Heikham Sarth Singh, of Mantripukhri. They were arrested from mobile vehicle check post (MVCP), 20th Assam Rifles, Sita junction, Tengnoupal on NH-102 on February 26. while they were heading from Imphal to Moreh with a bulk of COVID-19 vaccine and test kits.
The troops of MCVP Tengnoupal while searching the vehicle found the items concealed inside the vehicle body without valid documents of the items. Further, it was confirmed by district medical authority that there was no such consignment supposed to be transported.
On February 27, they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandel and remanded in four-day police custody till March 2. Further, the Tengnoupal PS with a prayer of 15-day judicial custody produced them before the Session Judge, Imphal West.
The two accused through their counsels filed bail prayer under section 436 CrPC.
Counsel of the arrested alleged accused submitted that the transportation of test kits and vaccines is compiled with the standards as per schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940. Chadox1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus vaccine (Recombinant), Covishield-200 Vials are manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) which is organised by the WHO.
While perusal of the materials, the court saw that the arrested persons had been alleged in FIR for conducting offences punishable under section 13(1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 which is defined under section 9A, 9B and 9C of the Act.
It stated that as section 13(1)(b) DC Act is a bailable offence, it is bound to release the accused persons on bail.
The court released them with conditions that they should cooperate with the investigation of the case, they should appear before the IO or the court as and when directed, they should not influence any of the prosecution witness, they should not leave the state without prior permission from the court, they should deposit a sum of Rs 10, 000 per each in cash as security (refundable).
It may be mentioned that on interrogation of the police, Ningombam Boicha was instructed by Sanayaima of Kwakeithel through one to visit Moreh by carrying the seized (a) Chadoxl n CoV-19 CoronaVirus Vaccine (Recombinant), Covishield 200 Vials (2000 doses) and (b) Covid-19 Antigen Test Kit (Complete) 299 sets and was ready to offer him Rs 15000/- (fifteen thousand) only as usual for the accused as carry charge after the mission task is completed. Accordingly, Boicha headed towards Kwakeithel Bazar and met Sanayaima at Kwakeithel Bazar and Sanayaima handed the seized items to him.
While Victor was informed by Boicha through phone saying he is visiting Moreh for some work. So, he hurriedly got ready for heading to Moreh along with Boicha, as he wanted to visit Moreh for marketing for his marriage.
