“Can’t Keep him in Jail Even for a day”, says SC; Orders Immediate Release of Activist Erendro Leichombam Detained for “Cow Post”
THE Supreme Court Monday directed the immediate release of Manipur activist Erendro Leichombam, detained under the National Security Act(NSA) for Facebook posts that said ‘cow dung and cow urine’ do not cure Covid.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah passed an order to this effect.
When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Manipur Government, sought a day to look into the matter, Justice Chandrachud remarked “We can’t keep him in jail even for a day. These are innocent people”.
Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that even Indian Penal Code(IPC) offences had not been made out from the Facebook post, let alone warranting his detention under the NSA.
Leichombam was detained for his Facebook post on May 17 against the use of cow urine to cure Covid. He has been in jail since then.
Farasat said he was also seeking compensation as Leichombam had been deprived of liberty without just reason.
The article was originally published in The Leaflet.
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