The Manipur high court on Friday ordered the release of journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem who has been in jail since May under provisions of the stringent National Security Act (NSA) for a Facebook post saying cow dung and urine cannot cure Covid-19. NSA allows for detention without trial for up to two years.
Based on a letter petition by Wangkhem’s wife Elangbam Ranjita, a bench of Chief Justice PV Sanjay and Justice Kh Nobin Singh suspended the NSA order issued by the Manipur government on May 17 till the next date of hearing on August 24 and directed the journalist’s release before 5 pm on Friday.
Wangkhem’s release comes four days after political activist Erendro Leichombam, who was also arrested under NSA for a similar post on Facebook, was released from an Imphal jail on directions of the Supreme Court.
“We find no distinction or difference between the case of the petitioner’s husband and that of Erendro Leichombam. Both of them put up similar Facebook posts, critical of the utility of cow dung and cow urine in treating the coronavirus,” the order read.
“As they stand identically situated, we are of the opinion that the continued incarceration of the petitioner’s husband would be as much a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, as it was in the case of Erendoro Leichombam,” it added. The article deals with the right to life and personal liberty.
{{/usCountry}}“As they stand identically situated, we are of the opinion that the continued incarceration of the petitioner’s husband would be as much a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, as it was in the case of Erendoro Leichombam,” it added. The article deals with the right to life and personal liberty.
{{/usCountry}}Following the court’s order, Wangkhem, who was lodged at the central jail in Sajiwa was released at 4:20 pm on a personal release bond of ₹1000, his lawyer Victor Chongtham confirmed.
“I have mixed feelings. I am happy for my release but concerned at the way laws like sedition and NSA are being abused by those in power. This was the second time I was arrested under NSA and may not be the last as I am not going to stop raising my voice,” Wangkhem said over phone after his release.
“I may approach the court seeking compensation for my illegal detention so that governments think twice before imprisoning others incorrectly. I will continue to fight against abuse of power and draconian laws like sedition and NSA,” he added.
The SC is already hearing a petition by Leichombam seeking compensation for his arrest and detention.
Wangkhem, a popular TV journalist, has been arrested thrice over the last three years. He was first arrested in November 2018 for uploading a video on social media critical of the government of chief minister N Biren Singh. Wangkhem was booked for sedition and under NSA before his release in April 2019 on the Manipur high court’s directions. He was again arrested in September 2020 on charges of sedition and promoting enmity between different groups on social media. Wangkhem was released in December 2020 following which joined Frontier Manipur and started hosting a talk show.
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Wangkhem’s release comes four days after political activist Erendro Leichombam, who was also arrested under NSA for a similar post on Facebook, was released from an Imphal jail on directions of the Supreme Court.
The journalist’s wife, Elangbam Ranjita moved the high court seeking Wangkhem’s release after the top court quashed Leichombam’s detention under the NSA. Wangkhem and Leichombam’s comments were made with reference to the death of the Manipur head of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, S Tikendra Singh, of Covid-19.