SC ORDERS THE RELEASE OF ACTIVIST HELD UNDER NSA

NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Monday ordered for the immediate release of activist Erendro Leichombam, jailed by the Manipur government under the National Security Act (NSA) since May 13 for a Facebook post on the death of the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief due to Covid-19. In that, the activist had remarked that cow dung and cow urine can’t cure the infection.

“We can’t keep this person in custody even for a day. He cannot be made to stay in jail even for one night,” remarked the bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and M R Shah while directing the state government to make sure Leichombam, 40, is released by 5pm on Monday. He was released from Central Jail at Sajiwa in Imphal East district before 5 pm, Superintendent of Prison (SP) of MCJS Sokholal Touthang said.

The bench turned down a request by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Manipur government and asked for a day or two to examine the matter. “No, no. We will order for his release immediately. These are all innocent statements. Mr Mehta, please ignore these statements. Let him be released today and we will hear you later,” the bench told the SG.

The court recorded that any further incarceration of Leichombam will be in violation of Article 21 (right to life and liberty) of the Constitution. It directed that the activist be released on furnishing a personal release bond of ₹1,000, and asked the registry officials in the Supreme Court to communicate the order to the prison authorities in Manipur without any delay.

“The authorities will comply with the order by 5pm today,” the bench said in its order.