New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the release of Manipur political activist Erandro Leichombam, who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for his social media post on the death of state BJP chief S Tikendra Singh due to Covid.
A two-judge bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah, while hearing the plea of Erandro’s father, said, “We are of the view that the continuing detention of the petitioner would amount to a violation of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.” We direct his release by 5 pm today with a personal bond of Rs 1,000.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told the court that he would take directions and requested that the matter be listed tomorrow but the apex court bench ordered his immediate release. The court proceeded to pass an order to release them.
The 37-year-old activist, along with journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem, was arrested on May 13 for his Facebook post in which he wrote, “The cure for corona is not cow dung and cow urine. The cure is science and common sense. Professor G RIP.”
Taking cognizance of his post, state BJP vice-president Usham Deben Singh had lodged a complaint calling the post objectionable. The BJP leader said Erandro Leichombam’s Facebook post “deliberately and deliberately insulted and insulted religious sentiments and sentiments” of BJP workers and family members of the deceased.
In June last year, the state police had charged Erandro with sedition over another social media post, which featured a picture of Rajya Sabha MP Sanajoba Leishemba with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. A picture shared on Facebook shows the Manipur king bowing before the senior BJP leader with folded hands.
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