Activist booked under NSA released on SC order

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the forthwith release of activist Erendro Leichombam who was detained under National Security Act (NSA) for his Facebook post criticizing ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders advocating cow dung and cow urine as cures for Covid.

Hailing from Manipur, Leichombam, a post-graduate in public administration from Harvard university, was arrested for his Facebook post.

His father L. Raghumani Singh had moved the top court for the release of his son. Saying that Leichombam can’t be kept behind the bars even for a day more, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice M.R.Shah said that he will be released by

5.00 pm on Monday.

He was released accordingly.

Ordering the release with Leichombam furnishing a personal bond of

`1000, the court in its order said, “We are of the view that continued detention of the petitioner would be a violation of right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. We accordingly direct that the petitioner shall be released forthwith …”

“He cannot be kept in jail even for a day. We will order his release today,” Justice Chandrachud said as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, sought a day’s time to take instructions.

L. Raghumani Singh in his petition had said that the detention of Leichombam is a reprisal for his criticism against ruling party leaders advocating cow-dung and cowurine as cures for Covid.

The petition said that it was a shocking instance of misuse of preventive detention law to stifle completely innocuous speech that is fully protected by the constitution and was made in public interest.

HAILING FROM Manipur, Leichombam was arrested for his Facebook post criticising ruling BJP leaders.