The Manipur High Court has ordered the release of Kishorechandra Wangkhem. An Imphal-based TV journalist, the 39-year old former Information Service Television Network (ISTN) anchor and sub-editor was arrested in November last year under National Security Act for an “inflammatory” Facebook post.

The court reversed the decision based on his wife Ranjeeta Elangbam’s appeal. In conversation with The Wire, she said they have only received the verbal order and are waiting for the written one. “We need to get certain signatures from the state administration which may take two-three days. After that, he would be released from the Sajiwa jail,” she added.

Earlier in March, Wangkhem’s health condition had deteriorated and he had been taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JIMS) in Imphal. His blood sugar level had spiked and the doctors advised the police that he be served a special diet, but the police officials could not guarantee that.

Wangkhem was booked first under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with sedition and then under the draconian NSA. He was arrested by the Imphal West Police on November 21 after a video he put up criticising the BJP went viral and was then granted bail. About 24 hours later, Wangkhem was arrested again.