Supreme Court Transfers Trial Against Kuki Revolutionary Army Chief & UKLF Leader From Manipur To Assam

The Supreme Court on Monday (April 29) transferred from Manipur to Assam the trial of arms theft case against Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) Chief David Hangshing and United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) leader Lhunkhoson Haokip.

The Bench Comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan transferred the 2018 case pending in Manipur to the Special Court (NIA), Guwahati, Assam.

On April 22, the Court expressed its inclination to transfer the case out of Manipur to some other place and instructed Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee to come up with a place/court on April 29 where the trial could take place conveniently outside Manipur.

In compliance with the Court's instruction passed on April 22, today ASG informed the court that if the matter is sought to be transferred outside Manipur then it could be Guwahati, Assam. However, ASG submitted that the suggestion to hold a trial at Guwahati wouldn't be seen as a concession.

Following this, the court dictated the order to transfer the case pending in Manipur to the Court of Special Judge (NIA), Guwahati, Assam.

The court directed the parties to the proceedings to appear before the Special Court at Guwahati on the morning of June 3, 2024.

The court granted liberty to the transferee Special Court to decide on the aspect of the recording of the statements/evidence through the video conferencing mode, wherever the special court may find it essential.

Background

In 2018, a theft of 56 pistols and 58 magazines took place at the Director General Pool Armory inside the 2nd Manipur Rifles Battalion premises.

As per the prosecution story, the stolen firearms were sold to certain separatist outfits, where the petitioners were involved in a conspiracy to sell those firearms.

Allegations are that the petitioners have received some stolen firearms from Manipur BJP MLA Yamthong Haokip (Erstwhile Congress MLA).

A case was registered by NIA under Sections 120B/409 IPC and Section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against the petitioner, following which the chargesheet was filed and the charges were framed under IPC, UAPA, and Arms Act.

Although the petitioners are out on bail but have sought the transfer of the case outside the state of Manipur after ethnic violence erupted in the state keeping in mind their safety and security.

In November 2023, while issuing notice on their transfer plea, the Supreme Court stayed the trial against the petitioners.

Case Title:  David Hangshing and Anr. v. National Investigation Agency and Ors., T.P.(Crl.) No. 671/2023

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