The Supreme Court today ordered the release of Manipur based activist Leichombam Erendro, who had been arrested for National Security Act (NSA) over some Facebook posts on the state BJP chief’s death from Covid-19.
The 37-year-old was held under the rigorous National Security Act for saying “cow dung and cow urine don’t work.”
While Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time and wanted the case to be adjourned till tomorrow, the judges ordered his immediate release.
“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 ₹ 1,000,” a two-judge bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said.
The order came on a plea by Mr Erendro’s father.
The activist, was arrested for posting the comment over the death of Saikhom Tikendra Singh, along with journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem.
He was arrested on 13 May for his Facebook post over state BJP chief S Tikendra Singh’s death due to Covid. Erendro had written on his FB post, “The cure for Corona is not cow dung & cow urine. The cure is science & common sense. Professor ji RIP.”
A complaint had been filed by Manipur BJP Vice-President Usham Deban against the activist alleging that the post had “deliberately and wilfully insulted and outraged religious fillings and sentiments” of BJP workers and family members of the deceased.
