NINE POLICE COMMANDOS CHARGESHEETED FOR ALLEGED FAKE ENCOUNTER IN MANIPUR

A court in Imphal East (Manipur) has issued a charge order against nine police commando personnel in connection with the alleged extra-judicial killing of Elangbam Kiranjit on May 24, 2009. The killing occurred between Sabungkhok and Laikot villages (under Lamlai police station) and involved a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and the 23 Assam Rifles.   The case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted in 2017. The court has fixed 24 November 2025 for framing of charges.  

On the morning of 24 May 2009, between the villages of Sabungkhok and Laikot in Imphal East district of Manipur (under the jurisdiction of Lamlai police station), an alleged encounter took place wherein Elangbam Kiranjit was killed.   According to the FIR registered earlier (24 April 2009) and subsequent reports, a combined unit of Thoubal police commandos and personnel from the 23 Assam Rifles carried out an operation based on intelligence about underground cadres. The official version claimed that two persons approached the ambush site, opened fire, and in the resulting exchange one cadre died, one escaped, and a pistol was recovered.  

However, during investigation and court proceedings, serious questions were raised:

• The victim’s family stated that Kiranjit had left home at around 3 pm on 23 April 2009 to look for a stray cow, carrying only a mobile phone and rope, not a firearm. His body was later found at RIMS Hospital morgue.  

• The court observed a “prima facie case” that the victim was abducted and killed, and that the pistol recovered may have been planted, and the encounter narrative is likely fabricated.  

Legal Progress & Charge Sheet

Following the investigation by the CBI (which took over from Lamlai police station) and following a Supreme Court direction (in cases involving extra-judicial executions) the SIT was formed in 2017.  

On 13 October 2025, after hearing submissions, the Sessions Judge of Imphal East recorded the charge-order against nine accused police commandos. The court fixed 24 November 2025 for framing formal charges.  

The nine accused persons named are:

1. Jemadar Hollal Haokip (46)

2. Kameidun Kamei James (38)

3. Laishram Basanta Singh (41)

4. S. Naba Singh (41)

5. Darsmol Sakhil Lamkang (41)

6. Tombing Thangsiamlal Paite (39)

7. Tantang Moses Maring (36)

8. Serto Tiken Kom (41)

9. Mangtilal Vaiphei (42)

They are charged under Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.  

The charge sheet also names two other accused—Major Anshuman Badoni and Naib Subedar Govind Singh of 23 Assam Rifles—but the Central Government has not granted sanction under Section 197 CrPC (which is required before prosecution of certain public servants).