11 days interim bail to UKLF chairman

IMPHAL, Sep 21 : The Special Judge NIA Manipur granted 11-day interim bail to United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) chairman Lhukoson Haokip @ Soson for medical care and attention in a well equipped medical institution.
Lhukhoson Haokip, son of  (L) M Thangjapao of Khanbarol village Chandel is among the 13 accused persons in the arms missing case from the arms kote of 2nd Manipur Rifles which is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Producing Lhukhoson before the Court after the completion of NIA custody remand, Special PP NIA prayed the Court for judicial custody remand of the accused who was announced a proclaimed offender in 2019 but recently surrendered before the Court on September 16 last along with a bail application.
The Court had earlier ordered to put up the application as and when the accused was produced and the NIA had filed an objection to the bail application.
The Court heard both Special PP and defense counsels and perused the material on record today.
Special PP NIA today submitted that a charge sheet has already been filed before the Court against 13 persons including Lhukhoson and showed that he was a proclaimed offender.
He could not be arrested earlier and NIA had opportunity to interrogate him and investigate his involvement in the case only when he surrendered before the Court, the Special PP submitted.
Stating that the accused needs medical care and attention but as his presence is required for further investigation and there is likelihood of absconding if released on bail, the Special PP prayed the Court to send the accused to judicial custody with the direction to jail authority to provide due medical aid.
The defense counsel of the accused on the other hand submitted that accused never intended to abscond and he had surrendered before the Court as soon as he came to know that he was announced as proclaimed offender in connection with the case. He is ready to defend the case and prove his innocence by facing the trial, the defense counsel submitted.
Filing medical documents, the defense counsel also submitted that accused has been suffering from different ailments and thus has been under medical care and remanding him to judicial custody may deteriorate his health and sought the Court to grant him bail on medical ground.
Accused and his counsel further submitted that accused was taken to Nazareth Clinic and Diagnostic Centre due to some health problems and was being produced directly from the clinic and the IO of the NIA who was present at the Court also acknowledged the fact.
After hearing both the parties and after perusing the material on record, the Court observed that it find no ground to release the accuse on bail but considered that the accused need proper medical treatment care and attention in well equipped medical institution.
The Court thus allowed interim bail for 11 days till October 1 on furnishing of PR bond of Rs 1 lakh and on the condition that accused shall cooperate the investigative authorities and shall not leave the State without the permission of the Court.
The Court also directed that the accused shall surrender before the Court on October 1 with all the medical documents involved in his treatment and to deposit his passport to the Court on or before tomorrow.