The Centre has refused to provide security cover to the kin of a road rage victim from Manipur who was killed in road accident by the son of the State’s Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Instead, the Centre has backed the State Government’s offer to provide security to the family, currently in Delhi. Interestingly, the family had approached the court saying it had no faith in the State Government.
The incident was of March 20, 2011. Taking note of the peculiar situation facing the parents of the victim Irom Roger, the Supreme Court had taken up the petition filed by the victim’s parents — Irom Chitra Devi and Irom lokendra Singh and sought a response from Centre on whether it was willing to provide central security cover.
On Monday, Centre’s Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh appeared before a Vacation Bench of Justice Deepak Gupta to State that orders were issued on June 3 by the State Inspector General of Police on June 3 to provide round the clock security to the family and their lawyer. Interestingly, a trial court has found the Chief Minister’s son N Ajay Meetai guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and punished him to five years in jail. Currently the parents have lodged an appeal before the Manipur High Court to enhance Meetai’s punishment.
Singh said that on an overall analysis, the allegations of obstruction against the CM was false and aimed at maligning his image. However, he supported the proposal by the State Government to provide security to the family. The State Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh filed an affidavit before the apex court denying all charges of interference by the Chief Minister but supporting the prayer of the petitioners for security, offering round-the clock protection by Manipur Rifles at the residences of the petitioners and also to the lawyer appearing for them at Manipur High Court. An order in this regard has already been issued by the State Inspector General of Police on June 3.