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Supreme Court today, while hearing plea by Manipur Journalist Leichobam Erendro, issued notice in prayer seeking compensation against Illegal Detention under NSA, for a Facebook Post mocking the death of a BJP leader.
 

Yesterday, Court had issued directions to release the petitioner forthwith, as an interim directions in the plea and listed the matter today on the request of Learned Solicitor General.

A Division Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah, while hearing the matter today, called it a “serious matter” while responding to the contention raised by the Learned Solicitor that the matter may set to rest, given to the fact that petitioner has already been released.

Advocate Farasat representing the petitioner said, “Responsibilities will have to fixed” while pressing his prayer for compensation.

It was the contention of Learned Solicitor General that the petition seeking Habeas Corpus was raised after 3 months of the alleged detention, and moment it came into the knowledge of the State, the same was revoked; “Yesterday when it was raised, I didn’t even defend”

Issuing directions to file a Counter Affidavit, the matter was adjourned for 2 weeks.

Yesterday, while releasing the detenue on a bail bond of Rs 1000, Court said, “Continued detention of the petitioner would amount to a violation of Right to Life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Registrar (Judicial) shall communicate a copy of this order forthwith to the Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa.”

The plea came up against detention of Journalist Erendro for his Facebook post which said, “The cure for Corona is not cow dung and cow urine. The cure is science and common sense Professor ji RIP”

The Statement was made subsequent to the death of Manipur BJP Chief Tikendra Singh.

Case Title: L. Raghumani Singh v. District Magistrate, Imphal West Distt. | WP (Crl.) No. 266 of 2021