Irom Sharmila acquitted in attempted suicide case

NEW DELHI: Manipuri rights activist Irom Sharmila was on Wednesday acquitted by a Delhi court in a case of allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast unto death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006 demanding scrapping of the AFSPA.

After the judgment was passed, 42-year-old Sharmila, who has been on fast for the last 16 years in Manipur demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA), said her struggle would continue till AFSPA is revoked.

“The accused is acquitted in the case,” metropolitan magistrate Harvinder Singh said while pronouncing the order.

Talking to scribes outside the courtroom, Sharmila said, “My struggle will continue till the time AFPSA is repealed. It does not matter whether I am released from the jail or not.” The court asked her to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10,000. However, she refused to furnish the bond, saying, “I am following the path of Mahatma Gandhi.”

Her counsel V.K. Ohri tried to persuade her outside the courtroom to make her understand the purpose and importance of furnishing personal bond. She, however, replied, “I am not convinced.”

After the court was informed about it by the counsel, the magistrate said that personal  bond furnished by her when she was granted bail in this case is extended by six months.

“Since she is in judicial custody in some other cases and her presence could be secured before the appellate court, in case the present order is challenged, and that she was earlier granted bail in the present matter, the personal bond furnished at that time is extended for six months,” the court said.

When Sharmila left the court premises, a number of people accompanying her, raised slogans in her support and demanded repeal of AFPSA.

Sharmila was put on trial on March 4, 2013, for allegedly trying to commit suicide while undertaking fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar  on October 4, 2006.

Sharmila, who is fed through nasal tube, was put on trial after she refused to plead guilty to the charge of attempting to commit  suicide.