SC Orders 'Immediate Release' Of Manipur Activist Erendro Leichombam Detained Under NSA

The 37-year-old activist was arrested on May 13 for his Facebook post in which he had criticised BJP leaders for advocating cow-dung and cow-urine as cures for COVID.

Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered to release Manipur-based political activist Erendro Leichombam who was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) for a social media post over state BJP chief S Tikendra Singh’s death due to Covid.

A two-judge bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah, while hearing the plea by Erendro's father said, "We are of the view that the continued detention of the petitioner would amount to violation of right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. We direct him to be released today by 5 pm with a personal bond of Rs 1,000." 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told the Court that he will take instructions and requested that the matter be listed tomorrow but the top court bench ordered his immediate release. The Court the proceeded to pass the order releasing him.

The 37-year-old activist, along with journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem, was arrested on May 13 for his Facebook post in which he had written, "The cure for Corona is not cow dung & cow urine. The cure is science & common sense. Professor ji RIP.” 

Taking a note of his post, Usham Deben Singh, vice-president of state BJP had filed a complaint alleging that the post was offensive. The BJP leader said that Erendro Leichombam's Facebook post “deliberately and wilfully insulted and outraged religious fillings and sentiments” of BJP workers and family members of the deceased. 

Last year in June, the state police had charged Erendro with sedition over another social media post that had the photo of Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Photo shared on Facebook showed Manipur's titular king bowing with folded hands before the senior BJP leader.