Okram Ibobi Singh v. State of Manipur

Crl. M.C. No. 41 of 2023 Page 1

Item No. 56 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL

Crl. M.C. No. 41 of 2023

Okram Ibobi Singh Applicant Vs. State of Manipur Respondent

BEFORE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. SIDDHARTH MRIDUL

15.12.2023

Mr. N. Ibotombi, learned senior counsel, appears on behalf of the applicant; Mr. M. Rarry, learned Special PP, appears on behalf of the State of Manipur; and Mr. W. Darakeshwar, learned Sr. PCCG, appears on behalf of the CBI. The present criminal miscellaneous application has been instituted on behalf of Okram Ibobi Singh, aged about 70 years, who is a former Chief Minister of Manipur and a permanent resident of Thoubal District, Manipur, praying as follows: "In view of the facts stated above, it is prayed that the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to pass an order thereby granting permission to the Applicant to leave India from 20/12/2023 to 15/01/2024 as the ends of justice may call for." A perusal of Annexure-A/2 appended to the present application reflects that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat has vide order dated 29.10.2023 sanctioned a sum of Rs. 3,50,000/- to the applicant for his foreign tour for the year, 2023-24. It is also observed that the applicant has been granted pre-arrest bail by this Court vide order dated 26.08.2019 in A.B. No. 11 of 2018, however, with a condition that he would not leave the country without prior permission of the Hon'ble Court. The applicant is now proposing to proceed to Singapore and Malaysia on

20.12.2023 and return back to Imphal on 15.01.2024. At this stage, it would be KABORAMBA M SANDEEP SINGH Date: 2023.12.15 17:05:35 +05'30'

Crl. M.C. No. 41 of 2023 Page 2

relevant to observe that this Hon'ble Court had vide order dated 16.10.2018 passed in Crl. M.C. No. 2 of 2018 (Ref: A.B. No. 21 of 2017) had permitted the applicant to leave India for Singapore and Malaysia. Further, vide order dated 25.09.2019 passed in Crl. M.C. No. 13 of 2019 (Ref: A.B. No. 11 of 2018), this Court had permitted the applicant to leave India for Singapore and Australia. Mr. M. Rarry, learned Special PP, appearing for the State of Manipur; and Mr. W. Darakeshwar, learned Sr. PCCG, appearing for the CBI, oppose the present application on the ground that the investigation is in its final stage and therefore, the availability of the applicant is necessary at this point of time. Having heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties and perused the material on the record, the present application is allowed and condition (d) imposed upon the applicant vide order dated 26.08.2019 in A.B. No. 11 of 2018 is relaxed for the period between 20.12.2023 to 15.01.2024. The applicant is accordingly permitted to leave India for his tour to Singapore and Malaysia between those dates. It is further made clear that the applicant shall remain present before this Court on 18.01.2024 without demur. The criminal miscellaneous application is disposed of accordingly. Copy of this order be provided to both the parties.

CHIEF JUSTICE Sandeep