The Session Judge, Imphal East, sentenced two convicts–Letkhosei Haokip and N Rome Meitei–to life imprisonment for kidnapping and killing of Lungnila Elizabeth in 2003.
The two–Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki and N Rome Meitei–were convicted after a span of 20 years in the case on February 24.
Eight-year-old Lungnila, daughter of former Power minister Francis Ngajokpa, was kidnapped from outside her school on November 4, 2003 and was murdered on November 12, 2003, despite the ransom demand being met. Her body was found on the outskirts of Imphal.
Imphal East Sessions Judge RK Memcha, on her last day before retirement, delivered justice for Elizabeth and convicted main accused Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki, Ningombam Rome Meitei of Bashikhong, Thokchom Nando Singh of Khangabok Part-III and O Deben alias Arnold of Langthabal.
Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki and N Rome Meitei are the only two convicts alive now as the other two accused Thokchom Nando and O Deben alias Arnold died before completion of the trial. The main accused of the Lungnila Elizabeth murder case, Thokchom Nando Singh alias KCP Nando was killed by an underground outfit on March 3, 2021.
During the sentence hearing on Monday, Session Judge, Imphal West, W Tonen Meitei heard the submission of the Public Prosecutor and counsels of the convicts.
The court opined that the judge did not find enough materials to put the case in the category of ‘rarest of the rare’. After taking into consideration, the court sentenced Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki and N Rome Meitei to life imprisonment under section 364A, 120-B and 302 of the Indian Penal Code.
Further, the court recommended providing victim compensation under the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme.
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After 20 years, two accused convicted for kidnapping, murdering Lungnila Elizabeth
‘KCP Nando’ prime accused of rape and murder of Lungnila Elizabeth eliminated
