Imphal, January 18 2010: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over investigation relating to the July 23, 2009 broad daylight shootout incident at BT Road Khwairamband Bazar.

The CBI has taken the case following an order of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench passed in writ petition (Crl) no.77 of 2009.Mother of the deceased Sanjit (one of the two victims of the July 23 incident) Chungkham Taratombi wife of Khelen of Khurai Sajor Leikai of Imphal East was the petitioner.

She filed the petition to the High Court on August 23, 2009, a statement of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Imphal said.

Accordingly, CBI, Imphal branch has registered a case on January 16 last under section 302, 34 IPC and section 27 (3) Arms Act against unknown persons of Manipur police, the PIB, Imphal statement added.

A special investigation team headed by IGP-cum-Joint Director, CBI, New Delhi comprising two DIGs, two SPs, a team of experts of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), CBI and medical experts from Regional Institute of Medical Science, Imphal and others has also been constituted.

The special team is camping in Imphal, PIB, Imphal further stated.

All persons/individual having knowledge of the facts and circumstances of the case were also asked to contact SP, CBI, Lamphelpat, over phone/e-mail/speed post at Superintendent of Police/head of bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation, Lamphelpaat, Imphal-795004 (tel/fax no.0385-2414673 and [email protected], the statement said adding that any person wishing to share information can also contact on the above address and that is identity would be kept a secret.

CBI also assured all concerned that it will undertake a thorough investigation of the case in an impartial and speedy manner without fear or favour.

The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench in its order passed on January 2 last observed that the writ petitioner, apparently, came to know about the fake encounter/custodian killing only after seeing a publication in a national weekly magazine (Tahelka on August 1, 2009) .

Even though a written report was submitted on August 7 last year to the concerned police station (Imphal City Police Station) by the writ petitioner alleging committing of fake encounter or custodial killing of her son by personnel of Manipur police, no FIR case was registered in respect of the written report of the petitioner.

The court further observed "Considering all the relevant facts and having satisfied that the case is an extraordinary one in respect of which there is a need to find out the truth, we are of the opinion that fair and impartial investigation by an independent agency, not involved in the controversy, is the demand of public interest" .

Further observing that independent agency CBI would lend the final outcome of the investigation credibility, the court handed the investigation into the case to the agency.

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