Remand for Samarjit till Apr 26

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 12 : Special Judge NIA Manipur today remanded Narengbam Samarjit, self proclaimed “External Affairs and Defense Minister of Manipur State Council (Government in exile)” and former chairman of Salai Group of Companies to 15 days judicial custody (till April 26) and fixed April 17 for hearing the bail application filed by him through his counsel.
Samarjit was produced before the NIA Special Court, Cheirap Court complex under very tight security.
The IO of the case through Special PP NIA submitted that in compliance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, order dated November 19, 2019 a case was registered by NIA branch office, Guwahati pertaining to the FIR registered against Narengbam Samarjit and Yambem Biren at Lamphel police station.
According to the IO,  Narengbam Samarjit and Yambem Biren, in a press conference held in London, announced the separation of the State of Manipur from India, forming the Manipur State Council.
It was revealed during the investigation that the Salai Group allegedly  cheated the people by promising 36% annual returns on deposits. However, due to the unsustainability of the scheme, Samarjit fled to London with the money of the depositors and announced the independence of Manipur, the IO continued.
It is also submitted that chargesheet was submitted before the Court on March 23, 2021 against N Samarjit, Yambem Biren, Elangbam Brojendro, Narengbam Biswajit and Akoijam Deepa Anand along with all relevant documents and material seized during the investigation .
Further, Special Judge NIA Manipur issued non-bailable warrant of arrest against N Samarjit and Yambem Biren on March 24, 2021.
N Samarjit was detained by the officials of Bureau of Immigration at New Delhi Airport and later arrested by NIA on March 25 along with incriminating documents/ material objects.
N Samarjit was brought to Imphal by a team of NIA on March 29.
The IO then prayed for remanding Samarjit to judicial custody, saying that the investigation is at the nascent stage.
The defence counsel of N Samarjit also prayed for his release on bail.
The Court after hearing both parties and on perusal of the case record and chargesheet of the case remanded N Samarjit to judicial custody till April 26 and fixed April 17 for the bail application filed by N Samarjit through his counsel.