Imphal, December 14: Charging the State Police of illegal confinement, a detainee has moved the Gauhati High Court seeking Rs 5 lakhs as compensation from the police officers concerned.

Case dossiers said the petitioner identified as N Inaocha Meetei alias Pakhanglakpa (35) of Nambol Konkham Awang Leikai was picked up personnel of 4 AR on September 6 this year and was subsequently handed over to Imphal Police Station.

An FIR case u/s 17/20 UA (P) Act was registered against Inaocha by the OC of the station.

On September 13, SI Th Chaoba posted at Imphal West PS made a 'false prayer' before the CJM Chandel that the petitioner was involved in another FIR no 989 (8) 94 Imphal PS u/s 121-A/302 IPC, 25 (1-B) Arms Act and 3 (2) (ii) TDA (P) Act, mentioned the dossiers.

Under these charges, the SI prayed for formal arrest of the petitioner.

Granting the prayer, the CJM remanded Inaocha to police custody.

On the next day SI Chaoba (respondent no 2) again made an application before the same CJM praying for cancellation of the previous day's order granting formal arrest.

The petitioner, currently lodged in jail, was illegally detained for two days (September 13 and 14) in the custody of respondent no 2 putting him under 'false formal arrest' by the FIR case which was already closed by the order of TADA Court.

During the illegal detention in police custody, third degree torture was meted out to the petitioner only to make him admit involvement in an earlier case.

Contending that he suffered undue humiliation, mental agony, physical injuries and degradation in social status after he was illegally confined by police for two days, the petitioner prayed before the Court to direct the respondents for payment of Rs 5 lakhs as compensation.

After hearing both the parties, the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench issued rule to the respondents including State of Manipur through Secretary (Home), disclosed advocate M Ibotombi appearing on behalf of the petitioner.

The Court also asked to initiate actions against respondent no 2 in connection with the matter, Ibotombi added.

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