SC tells NIA to pay accused allowance till trial is complete

New Delhi, May 25: In a verdict that many may find hard to understand, the Supreme Court has directed the National Investigating Agency to pay a monthly allowance and arrange accommodation for an accused until the disposal of the case.

Shocking, the NIA says, but also adds in the same breath that it is the verdict of the Supreme Court and has to be complied with.

The Supreme Court while hearing a plea filed by Oinam Moniton Singha an alleged member of the banned United Liberation Front ordered the NIA to pay him an allowance of Rs 6000 and also provide him with accommodation until the case against him was disposed off.

Look after the accused:

The NIA had arrested in the year 2010, Singha, a former member of the United Liberation Front. He was accused of receiving money from the outfit which has been banned. The NIA had found a series of emails that were exchanged between him and the members of the outfit.

Singha had moved the court seeking bail and was also granted the same on April 6th. He then preferred a plea before the Supreme Court where he said that he had no means of living as this case against him was pending. Moreover he was away from his home town of Manipur and had to stay in Kolkata as the NIA had taken him there for the probe.

He told the court that he had no money and could not live in Kolkata as it was not his home town. The Supreme Court while taking note of his plea directed the NIA to look after him until the trial was complete. The court directed the NIA to pay him an allowance of Rs 6000 per month and also provide him accommodation in Kolkata.

Remain in Kolkata:

The Supreme Court also made it clear that he shall remain in Kolkata until the trial against him was completed. The trial is being conducted in Manipur and for this purpose he would need to visit that place. The court said during the pendency of the trial, he shall remain in Kolkata only. However he will be taken to the North East when there is a court hearing and this cost would be borne by the NIA, the court also stated.

Singha submitted to the Supreme Court that he was willing to comply, but also added that he had no means of supporting himself. The NIA now has no option but to comply with the order as it has been directed by the Supreme Court. There are no provisions available to appeal against this order too. Moreover Singha had moved the Supreme Court seeking bail after the trial court and the Guwahati High Court had rejected his bail plea.

OneIndia News