Supreme Court Seeks NIA's Response On Status Of Trial In Case Of Man Booked Over Transnational Conspiracy Behind Manipur Violence

The Supreme Court today issued notice on the plea filed by one Moirangthem Anand Singh, accused of involvement in a transnational conspiracy behind the Manipur violence, assailing delay in trial and denial of bail.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the matter and sought the NIA's response to ascertain the status of the trial. "Issue notice only to ascertain the status of the trial", the bench ordered.

The counsel who appeared for the petitioner submitted that despite charge-sheet having been filed, the trial has not proceeded and the petitioner is languishing in jail since the last two years. He also argued that the co-accused had been granted bail, but on this ground, the Court was not convinced.

Briefly put, the petitioner is alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy hatched by Myanmar-based terror outfits to "wage war" against Government of India by exploiting the ethnic violence in Manipur. He is also stated to be a senior member of the People Liberation Army - a proscribed terrorist organization listed in the First Schedule of the UAPA.

As per claims, in September, 2023, during a frisking of vehicles, he alongwith 4 others was found travelling in a vehicle wearing camouflaged clothes and carrying weapons. These weapons were identified as those looted from various armories, including Arms Kote, MPTC. Further, he was found involved in different cases for training the cadre of the Revolutionary People's Front. He was arrested in 2010 as well for being a member of Kangleipak Communist Party.

In connection with the alleged transnational conspiracy, the Manipur police booked the petitioner under Sections 121A/416/419/506/120B/170 IPC, Section 25 (1-A) of Arms Act & Section 16 of UAPA read with Section 6(1)(a) of Official Secrets Act. The NIA however registered a case under Sections 120B/121A/122 IPC and Section 18/18B/39 of UAPA. After he was granted bail in the Manipur FIR, he was apprehended by NIA and has been in custody since then.

Challenging denial of bail by the Special Court, the petitioner had moved the Delhi High Court. But the High Court as well denied him bail looking at the nature and severity of the allegations.

Case Title: MOIRANGTHEM ANAND SINGH Versus NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NIA), Diary No. 46649-2025 

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