The Supreme Court on Monday, August 10, directed the Manipur and Assam governments and other concerned authorities to consider establishing two exclusive special courts to conduct trials in CBI and NIA cases arising from the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in 2023.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana reviewed the progress of investigations and asked the authorities to explore setting up one court exclusively for cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and another for those handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The court noted that special judges are already hearing CBI and NIA matters, but sought clarity on whether they are exclusively dealing with cases related to the Manipur violence or are also handling other cases. It directed the authorities to consider creating separate courts dedicated to the violence-related proceedings.
The bench also ordered the compilation of details of cases in which chargesheets have been filed, including case numbers and the current status of proceedings. The information is to be made accessible to victims, their families and their legal representatives. The registrar general of the concerned High Court has been asked to submit a status report on the proposed arrangement before the next hearing.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the CBI had investigated 31 cases connected with the violence. Final reports have been filed in 27 cases, comprising 22 chargesheets and five closure reports, while four cases remain under investigation.
Of the 22 CBI cases in which chargesheets have been filed, courts have taken cognisance in 20, while cognisance is pending in two. One case is triable by a magistrate, while the remaining matters involve Sessions trials. Bhati said all the CBI cases had been transferred to Gauhati.
The NIA, which was entrusted with 30 cases, has filed chargesheets in 15 cases, while investigations are continuing in the remaining 15. Bhati said the 15 chargesheeted cases were ready for trial, although further investigation was continuing in some matters, and charges had already been framed in seven cases.
Of the 15 NIA cases in which chargesheets have been filed, two are pending before a Delhi court, five before courts in Gauhati and eight in Manipur.
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover raised concerns over victims and their families allegedly being unable to access status reports and chargesheets despite earlier directions. The Supreme Court directed that case details and relevant reports be compiled and placed before it, while ensuring access for the concerned families and their legal counsel.
The court further directed authorities to facilitate uninterrupted investigations by the CBI and NIA and ensure effective coordination among the Manipur government, central agencies and security forces.
Reviewing the security situation, the bench noted that joint operations by Manipur Police and security forces had strengthened efforts to recover arms and ammunition and apprehend suspects. It also emphasised the need to maintain security and ensure the safety of students.
The ethnic violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, following a Tribal Solidarity March in the hill districts against the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the majority Meitei community. The prolonged conflict has claimed more than 200 lives, injured hundreds and displaced thousands of people.
