Punjab and Haryana High Cour on Thursday granted interim bail to 45 Naga youth who were arrested on May 15 this year under various sections of the Information and Technology Act, 2000 and Indian Penal Code (IPC), who were languishing in jail for the past four months.
After both the lead chief judicial magistrate (CJM) and district judge had rejected their bail, and taking into consideration the plight of the Naga youth, chief minister Neiphiu Rio stepped in and instructed the state’s advocate general to take immediate steps for their release, DIPR report stated.
Heard by High Court judge Justice Rajesh Bharadwaj thrice, the case was argued by advocate General Nagaland KN Balgopal and assisted by Paramjeet Singh Brar and Nitya Nambiar.
Throughout the progress of the case, the chief minister was monitoring the developments so as to ensure the speedy release of the Naga youth, which included 10 women.
The state government has appreciated the role and contribution of the advocate general in obtaining the bail of the Naga youth.
Meanwhile, the state government was making all necessary arrangements for the safe and smooth return of the youth to Nagaland through the Home Department and Resident Commissioner’s office, New Delhi.
It may be recalled that 40 Naga youths were apprehended in Chandigarh on the midnight of May 14, accused of duping American citizens by posing as agents of major corporations such as Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, etc.
Earlier talking to Nagaland Post, Naga Students Union Chandigarh president, Ngamlung O Phom had initially informed that around 42 youths– 34 boys and 8 girls were arrested. Taking note of the detention of 45 Naga youth languishing in Mohali jail, Punjab, chief minister Neiphiu Rio had directed Advocate General Nagaland, K.N. Balgopal to personally intervene in the case.