Jailbird goes scotfree due to connection with minister

Aizawl, Aug 6 (UNI) A convict, who was to serve four years in Lunglei district jail, is presently walking the streets of Lunglei, allegedly because he is a relative of a minister.

Lunglei ADM(J) KL Liana, has initiated a probe in this regard. R Lalhmangaiha, son of Lalchhinga, of Lunglei Venghlun, who had been sentenced to four-year imprisonment for raping a 19-year-old girl in 2003, was released by the IG (Prison) allegedly under pressure from 'influential people'.

The accused had been arrested and jailed for about a month.

After several court hearings, the then ADM(J) Lucy Lalrinthari had sentenced him to four years in jail since there were evidences proving him to be the rapist.

The accused then made an appeal to the Gauhati High Court, which however, rejected the appeal and fined him Rs 2,000, in addition to the district court's verdict.

The ADM(J) had ordered an inquiry that revealed that the IG had released him initially for 14 days on medical grounds based on a medical certificate issued by a doctor in Lunglei, which was later extended repeatedly.

''Since the convict is a close relative of a minister, his influence came in handy when allowing to release him repeatedly by the IG,'' a source in the jail said.

On August 2, the ADM(J) issued an order to the IG(Prison) not to extend the convict's bail period and ensure that he serves his jail term.

The public prosecutor and the defence lawyer, who were summoned by the ADM(J), also reportedly stated that the convict had no such medical problems during the trail. Sources said that while the ADM(J) issued a fresh order, the jailbird had already flown to Aizawl.

Meanwhile, IG R Hrangtawna said that he was in no position to reject the convict's plea for emergency leave since he had all the required medical documents. Neither was it his job to prove that the convict had medical problems which could not be treated by the jail's doctor.

He also claimed that he could not act beyond the laws with or without pressure from higher-up.

UNI