NSA charges against activist Erendro Leichombam revoked, Supreme Court seeks response of Manipur government on issue of compensation

The Supreme Court today sought the response of the Manipur government in a plea by the father of activist Erendro Leichombam seeking compensation for his son's wrongful detention under the National Security Act (NSA) [L Raghumani Singh v. District Magistrate, Imphal West District, Manipur]..The Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah noted that the prayer for compensation was a "serious issue"..Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, said that since the charges under the NSA stand revoked, the issue should be put to rest. "This case was brought to light after three months. As soon as we noticed, we have revoked the charges. I think this should rest since we have immediately revoked the charges," said the SG. .However, Advocate Shadan Farasat appearing for the petitioner urged that the prayer of compensation be considered. "My prayer is for compensation...five cases were cited against me in the impugned order and no chargesheet was filed," said Farasat. .The top court, while issuing notice on the prayer of compensation, adjourned the proceedings by two weeks so that the respondents could file a counter affidavit..While ordering Leichombam's release yesterday, the Court had stated,"He cannot be kept in jail even for a day. We will order his release today."."Can't keep him in jail even for a day:" Supreme Court orders release of activist charged for FB post criticising use of Cow dung as COVID cure.Leichombam, who holds a postgraduate degree in public administration from Harvard University and is a former associate of activist Irom Sharmila, had for long spoken against State repression and militarisation, according to reports..The plea filed in Supreme Court by his father L Raghumani Singh stated that the detention of the activist is a reprisal for his criticism against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for advocating cow-dung and cow-urine as cures for COVID-19."Erendro, a Manipuri political activist, has been preventively detained solely to punish him for his criticism of Bhartiya Janta Party (“BJP”) leaders for advocating cow-dung and cow-urine as cures for COVID," the petition said.It is a shocking instance of misuse of preventive detention law to stifle completely innocuous speech that is fully constitutionally protected and was made in public interest, the petition further stated.It was also submitted that the detention of the activist was in contempt of the April 30, 2021 order of the Supreme Court in the suo motu case of COVID-19 in which a Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud had observed that no one should be punished for critiquing COVID-19 policies over social media..[Read Order]