IMPHAL, April 2: Submission of final arguments before the Justice Mutum Binoykumar Inquiry Commission in connection with the death of Sapam Robinhood in police action during a student rally demanding Inner Line Permit System in the State on July 8 last year concluded today.
However, the commission has reserved its draft recommendation which is to be submitted to the government.
The final hearing of arguments was held at the State Guest House located at Sanjenthong.
Senior advocate S Lakhikanta Singh represented the commission, while senior advocate Kh Mani Singh assisted by Y Johnson represented Robinhood’s family and advocate M Munindro Singh represented the police.
The final hearing began around 11 am and continued till around 1:45 pm, wherein both counsels of the commission and the police submitted their final arguments.
Following the submission of the arguments, the commission reserved its draft recommendation.
In his argument, the police counsel told the commission that the police fired tear gas shells to maintain law and order by dispersing the protesting students who were defying imposition of the CrPC 144.
Senior advocate Lakhikanta suggested that the case be transferred to an investigating agency like the CBI to probe on what ground the police personnel didn’t fire the tear gas shells in 45 degree.
He recommended the commission not to disrupt the students during school hours and give adequate compensation to the victim’s family members.
It may be mentioned that (Retired) Justice Mutum Binoykumar Inquiry Commission was constituted on August 1 last year to probe the circumstances leading to the death of Sapam Robinhood.
The first sitting of the Commission was held on October 5 last year. 12 police witnesses, five Commission witnesses and 13 witnesses from the side of the victim have deposed before the Commission so far.
After the end of the recording of statements of the witnesses, the Commission had conducted a spot enquiry on January 22.