Upendra probe stayed by HC

Imphal, May 16: Justice H Kaminikumar Singh of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench in an interim order today stayed the state government order which constituted the Upendra Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the arrest and death of Thingujam Dhirendra Singh. The chief secretary of Manipur issued the order on April 9 last constituting the commission. The High Court passed the interim order following a petition filed by jointly by the secretary, ministry of defence, IG Assam Rifles (N), commander 9 sector AR and CO 7 AR. The petitioner challenged the order of the state government on the ground that it does not have jurisdiction to institute probes against Central forces which are here in aid of the civil administration. The High Court, after issuing notices, has given three weeks time to the chief secretary of Manipur and the Upendra Commission for submission of counter affidavits. Earlier, the last date of submission of affidavits by all parties before the Commission has been extended till yesterday. However, without submitting the affidavits before the commission, the authorities of the Assam Rifles went to the High Court challenging the validity of the commission. It may be mentioned that some security personnel alleged to belong to the 7th AR picked up Thingujam Dhirendra Singh of Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai in between the night of April 5 last from his residence and the latter was found killed at 9.30 am on April 6 last. On April 9, the state government constituted the Upendra Judicial Commission into the case with a two months deadline for report submission.