Guwahati Blast Case Accused Remanded to Further Four Days of Police Custody

Guwahati, May 31, 2019:

Actor Jahnabee Saikia and Pranomoy Rajguru were arrested on May 17 for being part of the conspiracy of causing grenade explosion at Guwahati Central Mall located at R.G. Baruah road.

Firstly, on 17 March, they were remanded to ten days police custody and thereafter on their reproduction on 27 March, they were again sent to further police custody of four days in Guwahati.

On Friday, the Investigating Officer prayed for further police custody of four days in terms of Section 43D of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It is pertinent to state that in the forwarding report of the accused, it was disclosed that although the arms and ammunition have been recovered, the source of procurement is yet to be traced and more associates are likely to be arrested very soon.

In this case, other accused, namely Amit Ballav Goswami, Chinmoy Lahkar, Indra Mohan Bora, Papu Konch Bokoiyal alias Bijoy Asom and Sanjib Talukdar. The accused Sanjib Talukdar who was arrested on 28 May and remanded to police custody till 3 June was to appear in his UPSC examination in 2019.

The allegation against Sanjib Talukdar is that he has a good relation with ULFA (I) Chief Paresh Barua and called in his mobile number from time to time and moved around with Bijoy Asom which he did not disclose to anybody and a result twelve persons were injured in the blast.

The Court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kamrup (M) at Guwahati passed the following order today:

“Accused persons namely Pranmoy Rajguru and Jahanabi Saikia are produced after expiry of police custody. On being asked the accused persons have submitted that they are medically fit and he is legally represented. The I.O. has prayed for another 4 days police custody for the accused persons for thorough investigation to unearth the fact of the case.

Heard the I.O. and perused the case diary. Learned counsel for the accused raised objection and prays to remand the accused persons to J.C. It appears that the accused persons have already been remanded to Police Custody for 14 days and after expiry of police custody they are produced today. However, from clear perusal of section 43D of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act it appears that section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure shall apply in relation to a case involving an offence punishable under this Act subject to the modification that under reference to "fifteen days" shall be construed as reference to "thirty days". Hence, considering all prayer of the I.O. for another four days police custody of the accused persons is allowed. Remand the accused persons to police custody.

The I/O is directed not to torture the accused persons and he is directed to ensure that the accused persons receives proper food, clothing and medical attention and he is directed to ensure that the accused persons will be examined by the Medical practitioner every 24 hours. Moreover the I.O is directed to comply with the directions laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of D.K Basu Vs State of West Bengal.

Fix 04.06.2019 for production.’’

Senior Counsel Mr. Bhaskar Dev Konwar assisted by advocate Mr. R. Kalita and Ms. M.K. Brown appeared for the accused Jahnabee Saikia.

Senior counsel Mr. Konwar has expressed his views that on perusal of the documents in the case record it is likely that more persons involved in the conspiracy of causing the blast are yet to be arrested and the investigation is yet to be completed and therefore the police remand of the accused persons is extended for another four days.

Keep following Inside Northeast on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. Do download our app from the Google Playstore for the latest news updates, views, and entertainment on the go. We deliver the Northeast.