New Delhi, March 5 (IANS): A court here Wednesday fixed March 24 for delivering the verdict in a case against alleged militant Hopeson Ningshen, who is accused of kidnapping and killing three government officials in Manipur in 2009.

CBI Special Judge V.K. Gupta scheduled the judgment for March 24.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ningshen is an activist of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM).

On Feb 13, 2009, Thingnam Kishan Singh, sub-divisional officer of Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district, along with five staff members was abducted by militants. The next day, three of the abducted people - Ram Singh Siro, Ramthing Singlai and Kapangkhui Jajo - were released, the CBI said.

On Feb 17, the bodies of Kishan Singh, Y. Token Singh and A. Rajen Sharma were recovered from the banks of Taphao Kuki river near Senapati, Manipur.

An investigation pointed towards the involvement of Ningshen in the abduction and killing. The CBI arrested Ningshen May 25, 2009.

The case was transferred from Manipur to Delhi on the direction of the Supreme Court in May 2010. The apex court order came on a CBI plea seeking transfer of the case saying there was apprehension of conflict between two communities and of a fair trial.