SC dismisses doubts of victimisation of couple in Manipur road rage case

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside any doubts regarding allegations of victimisation made by parents of a youth who died in a road rage case involving the son of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

“Nobody makes this kind of allegations against the Chief Minister unless there is some kind of substance in them,” Justice A.K. Sikri, who is leading a Vacation Bench also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta, observed orally.

Irom Chitra Devi, the mother of the victim, Roger, had moved the Supreme Court, fearing for their lives and alleging continued harassment unleashed by the State.

Appearing for the mother, advocates Kamini Jaiswal and Utsav Bains, said the parents are in hiding in the national capital and wanted security by central forces. Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, for the Centre, submitted that the government is evaluating the situation.

“We have already written to them (Manipur government). We will evaluate the situation and act accordingly. However, there is no urgency in this case,” Mr. Singh



submitted.

Counsel for the Manipur government submitted that the State itself is prepared to provide security to the victim's family.

Ajay Meetai, son of the Chief Minister, was awarded a five-year jail term for culpable homicide for firing at Roger, who died. Roger had not allowed Meetai to overtake him, which led to a confrontation on March 20, 2011. The State had not appealed the decision.

Ms. Jaiswal said the odds are so stacked against the parents that no lawyer in the State is even ready to appear on their behalf before the Manipur High Court in an appeal against the awarding of the five-year jail term to Meetai.

The parents have asked the court “to provide security for the safety of the life and liberty of petitioners and their family members against any kind of threat and victimisation for their peaceful stay throughout India”.

They have also sought a direction for an independent probe by a central agency on the ground that the state police was working at the behest of the convict.