The Special Judge (NIA), Imphal West on Thursday remanded Laishram Bidyananda, who has been accused for inciting violence in voice message, in five-day police custody till February 12.
Laishram Bidyananda, who goes by the social media handle, ‘Kangleipak Hulk’, was arrested on February 2 in connection with an FIR registered against him for the viral message which “directly instigates and provokes the public to rise up for a large scale violence against the government of India and Manipur.”
Meanwhile, the accused has filed an application through counsel, praying for releasing him on bail.The counsel prayed for considering the bail application without the signature of the accused as he is produced through video conference which is also allowed.
According to the police record, a viral voice message surfaced on various social media, instigating and provoking the public to rise up for a large-scale violence against the government of India and it was likely to disturb the maintenance of harmony, public order in the state, etc.
The record also mentioned that during investigation, evidence linking the accused with a proscribed organisation also came up.
The accused was first produced before the JMFC, IW-I on February 2 and remanded in February 5. He was produced further after completion of police custody. Further again, he was remanded in four- day police custody by CJM, Imphal West.
At the time of production before the CJM, Imphal West Section 25 (1-AB) Arms Act and Sec. 13/16 of UA (P) Act were added. On Thursday, section 66-F IT Act, 2000 was also added by the police.
The Special Public Prosecutor based on the police papers submitted that requisition has been submitted to SP, Imphal West to depute an expert team for collection of voice sample for analysis and comparison of the viral voice message.
It was submitted that steps have been taken by making requisition to Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh. The previous speech of the accused at the public platform and social media is similar to the present viral voice message. Due steps have been taken to identify the social media platforms regarding the voice. It was also submitted that further police custody of the accused is required for collecting material evidence.
The counsel of the accused submitted that the accused is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. The Counsel also submitted that there is no material evidence against the accused in as much as the alleged offences are not attracted in the present case. It was also submitted that the accused shall not abscond from the case and there is no ground for further custody. The Counsel also cited judgments in his application in support of his contention.
From the submission of the Special Public Prosecutor and Counsel of the accused, the court found that the voice message which is reproduced in the remand prayer of the investigating officer contains some part of hate speech. At the present stage, considering the steps to be taken by the investigating officer, the court opined that giving a free hand to the investigating officer will be just and proper.
