Imphal: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections slated for April 19, a court in Manipur has granted interim pre-arrest bail to an independent candidate from Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency.
The court order comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) filed a case against the candidate for alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
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The candidate in question, Moirangthem Totomsana, also known as Nongshaba, 50, faced accusations of breaching election protocols during a televised discussion. In a live broadcast on April 2, 2024, Totomsana purportedly made derogatory remarks directed at the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, and issued threats of physical harm.
According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pradeep Kumar Jha, the ECI has taken a serious view of the incident and initiated legal proceedings against Totomsana.
The candidate’s actions are alleged to have violated established election norms and the Model Code of Conduct.
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The Additional District and Sessions Judge Fast Track Court Manipur East granted interim pre-arrest bail to Totomsana until April 15. This temporary reprieve allows him to remain free from custody pending further legal proceedings.
In his defense, Totomsana, a resident of Heirok Part-II Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district, submitted affidavits to the ECI indicating no ownership of movable or immovable assets.