The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur on Thursday sent two directors of Salai Holdings Pvt Ltd, Elangbam Brojendro and Narengbam Biswajit Singh, to NIA custody for three days till December 5 in connection with the June 2019 case.
The two directors were arrested on December 2 in connection with the 2019 case taken up by the NIA against it former chairman-cum-managing director Narengbam Samarjit Singh who declared separation of Manipur from India in a press conference held in London.
Both Brojendro and Narengbam Biswajit Singh were produced before the Special Judge NIA, Manipur by the inspector of police and assistant investigating officer, Vinod Bhagawan Kadam with a prayer for three-day custody.
In the Thursday proceeding, special PP of NIA submitted that the main accused of the case, Narengbam Samarjit Singh, had submitted his resignation on June 28, 2019, on the ground that he may have to go abroad for a long time for some work, but the two directors namely Elangbam Brojendro and Narengbam Biswajit claimed that they know the fact of N Samarjit Singh leaving only on October 30, 2019.
Further, during the confrontation of some facts, the two directors did not cooperate properly and as such further custodial interrogation is required in the interest of investigation and prayed for three days' custody, the special PP said.
In response, the defense counsel contended that the two directors are not related with the leaving of N Samarjit Singh from the state and the arrest of the two directors is not sustainable in the eye of law as those statements made by N Samarjit are his own intention and thoughts. Hence, the counsel prayed for releasing the two directors on bail.
After having examined materials on record and submission of both parties, the court observed that it has found sufficient ground for allowing remand prayer in order to unearth the truth. Accordingly, the two accused was remanded three-day NIA custody till December 5.
However, the court has granted liberty to the defendants to file additional applications if any and at the same time, NIA to file an objection against the bail application.
A suo-moto case was registered against Narengbam Samarjit and Yambem Biren on the charges of waging war against the nation under section 121 (A) 121, 123, 153 (A), 505 (B), 124 (A) and 120 (B) of Indian Penal Code (IPC), on October 30, 2019.
The case was registered at Lamphel Police Station of Imphal West district and the same case was referred to the Special Crime Branch (SCB) of the state police for investigation. Later on November 19, 2019, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (CTCR) ordered the case transferred to NIA, Guwahati for further investigation.
