Imphal, August 25 2009: Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has directed the OC of Imphal City police station that an FIR case should be taken up immediately in connection with the killing of Ch Sanjit at BT Road on July 23 .

The Court also asked the DGP and the Imphal West SP to see that the FIR case has been taken up.

The ruling was issued today by a Division Bench comprising of Justice Maibam BK Singh and Justice Mutum BK Singh after hearing a petition filed by Chungkham Sanjit's mother, Taratombi.

Quoting the report of the petitioner, the Court noted that the weekly magazine Tehelka claimed that Sanjit was shot dead after arresting him by police commandos inside a pharmacy on July 23 .

On seeing a copy of the Tehelka's report which was supported by photographs, there was strong possibility that Sanjit was killed in a fake encounter and as such there was prima facie case of investigation, the Court opined.

During the hearing, the DGP (one of the listed respondent) said an FIR case has been registered and investigation launched into the killing of Sanjit.

On being asked to produce case diary so as to ascertain whether the FIR case registered earlier comprehended the petitioner's allegation that Sanjit was killed in a fake encounter, the respondent's counsel could not produce the case diary.

"In our considered opinion, the report submitted by the petitioner on August 7 is in respect of a fake encounter alleging commission of the offence of murder of the said Ch Sanjit Meitei by personnel of Manipur Police Commando while he was in their custody and the said offence alleged in the said report is quite separate and distinct from the offence alleged in the FIR already registered", the Division Bench noted.

The petitioner is represented by Advocate Khaidem Mani and Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh.

The respondents listed in the case are the State of Manipur represented by the Chief Secretary, the DGP, the Imphal West SP and the OC of City police station.

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