Court to record Irom Sharmila's statement on August 11

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court today fixed August 11 for recording of statement of rights activist Irom Sharmila of Manipur, who is facing trial for allegedly trying to commit suicide during her fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar here in 2006.

Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain posted the matter for recording of the statement of Sharmila under section 313 CrPC after completion of recording of prosecution witnesses in the case.

The court closed the prosecution evidence after two doctors failed to appear before it for recording their testimony despite summons to them.

"The accused is lodged in Manipur jail in some other case and huge expenditure is incurred to the state exchequer to present her before the court here in custody," the court said while closing the prosecution evidence.

Meanwhile, the court recorded the statement of prosecution witness Vijay, who had videographed the place where Sharmila was observing hunger strike.

He told the court that the video placed on record was original and not tampered with.

42-year-old Sharmila, who is on a fast for over 14 years in Manipur demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), was also present in the court during the hearing.

Earlier, the court had recorded statements of seven prosecution witnesses including retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) G L Mehta, Dr Prashant Sinha, who had medically examined Sharmila after she was admitted to AIIMS, and other officials of Delhi Police in the case.

Sharmila had earlier told the court that she was very much eager to eat if she got the assurance that the "draconian" act will be revoked.

Widespread discrimination was being done with the people from northeast, she had alleged adding that she never intended to commit suicide and it was just a protest against AFSPA.

The court had on March 4, 2013, put Sharmila on trial after she had refused to plead guilty for the offence of attempting to commit suicide (section 309 of IPC).

If convicted, Sharmila, who is out on bail in this case, faces a maximum jail term of one year.

Popularly known as the 'Iron Lady', Sharmila is fed through a nasal tube. She had earlier told the court that her protest was non-violent.