13 members of JAC remanded

    22-May-2019
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 21: Thirteen women of the JAC formed in connection with the brutal murder of Khunjamayum Arun,  who were arrested for destroying Court property on May 18, were produced before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West  today and remanded to judicial custody till June 4.
The arrested women identified as Yambem Par-chalata, Khunjamayum Devala, Khunjamayum Lan-dhoni, Khunjamayum Tektek, Saikhom Mento, Kangjam Lata, Khunjamayum Anuradha, Sagolshem Sundaribala, Khunjamayum Abem, Elangbam Surmala, Yambem Achoubi, Khunjamayum Ibemcha and Yambem Jotisana (all from Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai) were produced before the Court under heavy security, after 4 days in police custody remand.
As no counsel represented the individuals, the Court directed the Legal Aid counsel of the Court to represent them till further order or arrangement is made.
They were charged for storming Lamphel Court complex on May 18 after hearing that Helen, wife of Kh Arun, was to be produced before the Court of CJM Imphal from Central Jail and also for destructing the properties of the Court of Special Judge ND&PS and CJM Imphal.
They were also charged with allegedly assaulting an Advocate who tried to pacify them.
The Court observed that the accused are all women and most of them are mothers looking after their family but opined that the offence was serious and as such the prayer of the IO are reasonable and proper.
It further reasoned that the act of the accused in trying to take the law into their own hand and mete punishment to people, who are the accused in some offences, is illegal and should not have any place in society governed by rule of law.
A such, the Court remanded the 13 women to judicial custody till June 4  and also instructed the SP Central Jail Manipur to segregate the women, from Kh Helen alias Thoi who is already in custody, to avoid any unwanted situations.
The Court also asked necessary accommodations to be made for the child (who is just 1 year 3 months old) of Khunjamayum Abem if she insists on taking the child with her in judicial custody.
On the other hand, while they were coming out from the Court after being remanded into judicial custody, the women were full of tears and alleged that they have been made scapegoats.