New Delhi, Sep 7: On Monday, the Supreme Court granted a suspension of sentence for Hopeson Nignshen, a self-identified lieutenant of the NSCN(M), who was convicted for the abduction and murder of three officials from the Manipur government in Ukhrul district back in February 2009.
The bench, which included Justice M M Sundresh and Justice P B Varale, acknowledged that Nignshen has already served over 17 years in prison.
“In this case, the appellant has been imprisoned for more than 17 years, and he is seeking suspension of sentence while his appeal is still pending. We will grant this suspension under the condition that he remains within the boundaries of Delhi until the appeal is resolved,” the bench stated.
The Manipur government’s legal representative opposed the suspension request.
On November 20, 2019, the Delhi High Court upheld the trial court’s conviction of Nignshen, sentencing him to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of three officials in 2009.
In 2014, the trial court found Nignshen guilty of abducting Dr. Thingnam Kishan Singh along with two others, and subsequently murdering them in collaboration with other militants from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM).
Nignshen was also convicted of stealing the victims’ belongings and was fined Rs 35,000.
The Supreme Court had ordered the case to be moved to Delhi in May 2010 due to concerns from the CBI regarding threats to Nignshen’s life and potential unrest if he were tried in Manipur.
According to the CBI, on February 13, 2009, Nignshen and other NSCN-IM militants kidnapped Kishan Singh, the SDO-cum-BDO of Kasom Khullen, along with five members of his staff.
The following day, three of the abducted individuals-Ram Singh Siro, Ramthing Singlai, and Kapangkhui Jajo-were released, while Kishan Singh, Y Token Singh, and A Rajen Sharma were murdered.
The bodies were later discovered along the banks of the Taphao Kuki river in Manipur, as reported by the CBI.
This incident escalated ethnic tensions between the Meities and Nagas, resulting in a series of strikes across Manipur.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the state government referred it to the CBI, which arrested Nignshen on May 29, 2009.