Irom Sharmila unlikely to appear in court this time

New Delhi: The Iron Lady, charged with attempt to suicide is probably not going to appear in Delhi's Patiala House court this time. Irom Sharmila is supposed to be present on February 3 and 4, however, may miss it due to the failure of Manipur authorities to sanction travelling expenses for her and her team.

Rs 1.40 lakh which was supposed to be sanctioned by the home department of the Manipur government for travelling expense for Sharmila and her team has not been passed. The same has happened in the past as well.

According to the jail manual, she has to be accompanied by police, jail and medical staff while travelling to Delhi.

She is undergoing trial under Section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide).

She is on fast unto death since November 4, 2000, demanding a repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

It was imposed in Manipur on September 8, 1980, as the foreign trained insurgents got the upper hand. One amicus curiae is representing her.

This act permits her detention for a whole year and at the end of each year, she will be ritually released. But due to her continuation of fast outside the jail, she is always rearrested.

On October 6, 2006, she rushed to Delhi to carry out her fast at Jantar Mantar, after being released by the court of chief judicial magistrate, Imphal west.

All this time, she has denied the charge of attempt to commit suicide.

She said, "I love my life and want to live. I am using fast as a weapon to achieve my goal".

Imphal west, the district and sessions court, on January 22, 2015, ordered her release finding her not guilty of the charge. But later, was rearrested on the same charge.

A Romenkumar, a high court advocate said the prosecution should file a petition for appeal or revision within three months of the court order. After expiry of this period, the order reaches finality and becomes the rule of the law.

Under the circumstances, the arrest of Sharmila under the same charge is questionable.(IANS)