Manipur: 2 persons accused in 2018 multi-crore drug case get bail

Imphal: Two persons, who got arrested earlier in connection with the multi-crore drug trade case 2018, have been granted bail by the High Court of Manipur.

The drug case was also allegedly involved by former autonomous district council (ADC) chairman Lhukhosei Zou alias Shesei Zou.

The two co-accused, who were arrested in 2018 by a team of NAB under sections 22(b)/22(c)/21(c)/25/29/60(3) ND&PS Act 1985 and section 27 Arms Act, were granted bail on August 19.

As per the bail order issued by Justice MV Muralidaran, the two co-accused were falsely implicated in the charge sheet based on the statement of the other co-accused and no narcotics were found from both the accused. The hearing was done video conference owing to the pandemic lockdown.

Since June 2018, both the co-accused was in the judicial custody and they have completed more than two years in the jail, it said.

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Nothing harm to the prosecution for granting bail to both the petitioners/accused, since already investigation was completed, charge sheet was filed and 13 witnesses were examined by the Trial Court, said the court order.

The two accused persons were released on bail after executing a bond of Rs 1 lakh each and two sureties to the satisfaction of the Special Court, NDPS, Manipur, it said.

They were also directed to report before the Special Court at 10 am daily for one month and appear the Trial Court on every hearing without fail.

The order further stated that if any condition is violated by both the accused, the prosecution is at liberty to approach this Court and file a petition for cancellation.

Earlier, three other co-accused involved in the drug haul case was released on regular bail. One accused was released on November 4, 2019, and another two was on December 10, 2019, by the Chief Justice.

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