Guwahati: The Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report within two weeks on its probe into 11 FIRs linked to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also suggested that the monitoring of trials and related proceedings could be entrusted to the jurisdictional High Court instead of continuing under the direct supervision of the apex court. The Bench observed that the Manipur High Court, which recently assumed office under a new Chief Justice, or the Gauhati High Court, or both, could oversee the cases.
The court further asked the Centre and the Manipur government to ensure the implementation of recommendations made by the Justice Gita Mittal Committee on the rehabilitation and welfare of victims affected by the violence.
The court-appointed committee, headed by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, and comprising Justice Shalini P. Joshi, former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Justice Asha Menon, former judge of the Delhi High Court, has submitted multiple reports outlining measures for relief and rehabilitation.
The violence, which began on May 3, 2023, during a “Tribal Solidarity March” organised in the hill districts, has resulted in over 200 deaths, several hundred injuries, and the displacement of thousands.
At the outset of the hearing, senior advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for a woman victim who recently passed away, sought her substitution by her mother. Grover alleged that the CBI had failed to inform the victim about the filing of a charge sheet in her rape case. She also claimed that the main accused were not appearing before the trial court and that the investigating agency was not adequately represented.
“The casualness with which this is happening is shocking,” Grover submitted, adding that the victim had died last month from an illness allegedly linked to the trauma she suffered following a gang rape.
Responding to the submissions, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that the concerns raised regarding victims’ rights were valid. “Nobody can oppose what is being said. The victim’s rights cannot be affected,” he said.
Chief Justice Surya Kant then directed the CBI to submit a status report and mooted the idea of transferring the monitoring function to the High Court. When counsel Nizam Pasha pointed out that the Gauhati High Court was already monitoring certain trials, the Bench termed the arrangement “perfectly alright,” noting that it had been ordered in view of the surcharged atmosphere in Manipur.
The Bench said either the Manipur High Court or the Gauhati High Court, or both, could continue monitoring the cases, and asked counsel to seek instructions and respond within two weeks.
Mehta submitted that the prevailing situation in Manipur had stabilised, with normal movement of people restored, and suggested that local conditions could be better assessed by the High Court.
The Chief Justice also proposed coordination between the Chief Justices of the Manipur High Court and the Gauhati High Court to evolve a suitable monitoring mechanism, particularly regarding the handling and recording of victims’ statements.
Last month, the Supreme Court extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee until July 31, 2026, to continue overseeing relief and rehabilitation measures for those affected by the Manipur violence.