Supreme Court reviews Manipur violence investigations, with CBI and NIA case status examined and exclusive courts considered for trials.
New Delhi, August 10: The Supreme Court on Monday reviewed the status of investigations into cases arising from the Manipur violence and considered whether separate exclusive courts should be established to handle cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The hearing took stock of the progress of investigations by the CBI, NIA and Special Investigation Team (SIT), as well as the availability of case records and status reports for affected families and legal counsel.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the CBI had investigated 31 cases. Final reports have been filed in 27 cases, comprising 22 charge sheets and five closure reports, while four cases remain under investigation.
Of the 22 CBI charge-sheeted cases, cognizance has been taken in 20 and is pending in two. Bhati said only one of the 22 cases is triable by a Magistrate, while the remaining cases are Sessions trials. All CBI cases have been transferred to Gauhati.
The NIA was entrusted with 30 cases. Charge sheets have been filed in 15, while investigation continues in the remaining 15. According to Bhati, the 15 charge-sheeted cases are ripe for trial even though further investigation continues in them, and charges have already been framed in seven cases.
Of the 15 NIA charge-sheeted cases, two are before a Delhi court, five before courts in Gauhati and eight in Manipur, the court was informed.
Lawyers seek access to case reports
Advocate Vrinda Grover told the court that earlier directions had required the CBI, SIT and the DGP-appointed mechanism to submit status reports. She also referred to a report filed by the Manipur Legal Services Authority and said that, to her knowledge, the relevant investigation reports and status reports were not available to the parties.
Grover also pointed to the court's earlier observation that special courts might be required to facilitate the progress of trials. She said the relevant reports and case particulars were needed so that legal counsel and affected families could follow the proceedings.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves raised concerns regarding cases involving attacks and killings of members of the Kuki-Zomi-Ma communities.
Gonsalves told the court that his petition concerns the killing of more than 100 tribals and that details of alleged beheadings, including video evidence, as well as cases involving amputation of limbs, had been placed before the court.
He further submitted that there had been limited progress in the criminal justice process in the cases he was pursuing. Referring to a beheading case, he alleged that the accused had not been charge-sheeted despite the availability of video evidence.
These submissions were made by counsel during the hearing.
Bhati responded that the Supreme Court has been seized of the Manipur matters since 2023 and has already established a mechanism for monitoring investigations, besides appointing a committee to examine other issues arising from the violence.
She argued that the focus at this stage should be on the status of charge sheets and proceedings in the relevant cases rather than revisiting the broader issues already considered by the court.
Court seeks details of cases and proceedings
Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court had appointed a mechanism to monitor investigations and had issued directions concerning investigation reports.
He noted that where charge sheets have been filed, relevant particulars, including case numbers and the status of proceedings, should be available to legal counsel and affected families.
The bench accepted the request and directed that the relevant particulars and reports be compiled and placed before the court.
The Chief Justice also raised the issue of the courts currently handling CBI and NIA cases arising from the Manipur violence.
The court noted that Special Judges were dealing with CBI and NIA cases and questioned whether those courts were handling only cases related to the Manipur violence or were also hearing other matters.
The authorities were directed to consider setting up two separate exclusive courts — one for CBI cases and another for NIA cases arising from the Manipur violence.
The Registrar General of the Gauhati High Court was directed to submit a status report on the matter before the next hearing.
Court stresses security and uninterrupted investigations
The bench also took note of the security situation in Manipur. It observed that joint action by the Manipur Police and security forces had strengthened efforts to recover arms and ammunition and make arrests.
The court directed that the CBI and NIA be provided the necessary support to carry out their investigations without interruption.
The State of Manipur, central agencies and central security agencies were also directed to extend necessary support and coordination to ensure the functioning of the system and maintenance of safety and security, including the safety of students.
The directions came as the Supreme Court continued its monitoring of the investigation and trial process in cases arising from the violence that began in Manipur in 2023.
