IMPHAL, Dec 18 - Barely a day after a court acquitted a former Autonomous District Council (ADC) chairman from a multi-crore-rupee drugs seizure case in Manipur, the police officer who led the team in arresting the ADC chairman, today returned the Chief Minister�s Gallantry Medal conferred on her.
The then Additional SP of Narcotic Affairs of Border (NAB), Thounaojam Brinda, returned the medal to the Chief Minister.
The Special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ND&PS) Court, Manipur, while pronouncing the judgement in the case that dates back to June, 2018, acquitted former ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou and others arrested during the police operation while convicting two other accused.
The police team under MPS officer Brinda had raided the official quarters of Zou here and arrested him on June 20, 2018.
In recognition of the case as part of the Chief Minister�s �War Against Drugs�, she was conferred the Chief Minister�s Medal for Gallantry.
�However, the investigation and prosecution have been deemed unsatisfactory by the honourable ND&PS Court. I feel morally inclined that I have not conducted my duty as per the wishes of the Criminal Justice Delivery System of the land. Hence, for the reason cited above, I do not consider myself deserving of the honour bestowed upon me by your good self. I, therefore, return the same to the State Home Department so that it may be given to a more deserving and loyal police officer,� Brinda wrote to the Chief Minister while returning the medal.
Speaking to reporters after returning the medal, Brinda said, �I think I am not worthy of the medal as the case has failed and I have no moral right to keep it,� she said. Brinda added that the case failed due to her �inefficiency as a police officer�.
When asked whether the investigation report submitted by her as an Investigating Officer of the case was discussed during the trial of the case, she said that there is need for a reinvestigation right from the start.
