Item No. 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL MC(GCA) No. 4 of 2025 The State of Manipur represented by the Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, Civil Secretariat, South Block, 1st Floor, Room No. 69, P.O. Mantripukhri, P.S. Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur – 795002. …Applicant - Versus - Thingujam Ramesh Singh @ Alex @ Pinky, aged about 31 years, S/o Th. Sobha Singh, a resident of Torbung Bangla Ward No. 6, at present Takmu Water Sports Complex Relief Camp, Laisoi, Thanga, Moirang, Bishnupur District, Pin – 795133. …Respondent B E F O R E HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. M. SUNDAR HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA For the applicant : Mr. W. Niranjit Singh, State Counsel Date of order : 08-09-2026 (ORDER) (Order of the Court was made by M. Sundar, CJ) [1] Captioned MC (Miscellaneous Case) has been filed with a Condonation of Delay (CoD) prayer qua 92 days delay in filing a statutory appeal under Section 21 of the ‘National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008)’ (‘NIA Act’ for the sake of brevity) being appeal filed vide CNR: MNHC010031652025, EFiling No.: AMN20230000116C202500 050, Filing No.: GCA/427/2025, filed on 17-11-2025. [2] Afore-referred statutory appeal has been filed by State assailing an ‘order dated 17-07-2025 made by the Court of Special Judge (NIA), 2026:MNHC:197-DB Bishnupur, Manipur (trial court) vide FIR Case No. 41(7)2025 MRG P.S. u/s 17/20 UA(P) Act’ (‘impugned order’ for the sake of convenience and clarity). [3] In and vide afore-referred impugned order, the trial court has granted bail to the respondent on condition of Rs. 20,000/- surety. [4] There is no disputation that the bail condition has been complied with and that the respondent is cooperating with the investigation. In this regard, a communication dated 03-08-2026 bearing reference No. M/No.253/SDPO-MRG/2026 from Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Moirang to Superintendent of Police, Bishnupur District, Manipur placed before us is relevant and a scanned reproduction of the same is as follows:— [5] Adverting to earlier proceedings, learned State counsel submits that the question as to whether delay beyond 90 days qua statutory appeal under Section 21 of NIA Act can be condoned, that too in an appeal filed by State continues to be res integra. Learned counsel submits that as regards SLP (Crl.) No. 3968-3974/2025, the same has been disposed of by Hon’ble Supreme Court in and vide an order dated 15-07- 2026 making it clear that it is not going into the question of condonation of delay in that case (Jagtar Singh Johal @ Jaggi versus National Investigation Agency). [6] As the respondent is admittedly cooperating with investigation after having complied with the bail condition, all that the learned State counsel projects is, the bail condition vide impugned order is very light and it may be necessary to approach the Trial Court with a prayer to increase the rigour of bail condition and/or add conditions. It is open to State to do so, if so advised and if so desired or if there is change of circumstances and if such a scenario unfurls, the trial court will decide such a prayer on its own merits and in accordance with law untrammeled by instant order but after putting the respondent on notice, to be noted putting the respondent on notice and giving an opportunity to the respondent is imperative as closure to captioned MC is being given before issue of notice to respondent. Though obvious, we make it clear that if such a scenario unfurls, all the rights and contentions of the respondent will stand preserved. [7] In the light of the narration thus far, captioned MC is given a closure without either dismissing the COD prayer or allowing the same. [8] Captioned MC is disposed of as closed albeit with preservation of rights and observations as above. There shall be no order as to costs. JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE Victoria P.S. I : Upload forthwith. P.S. II : All concerned will stand bound by instant order vide web copy uploaded in High Court website inter-alia as the same is QR coded. Ningom bam Victoria Digitally signed by Ningombam Victoria Date: 2026.09.08 17:48:12 +05'30'