THE Supreme Court on Monday asked the Manipur and Assam Governments and others to consider setting up two special trial courts to exclusively hear CBI and NIA cases arising from the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur. Taking stock of the status of investigations into cases arising from the ethnic violence in Manipur, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also directed the authorities to compile details of cases in which chargesheets have been filed so that victims, their families and legal counsel can access the relevant records. The bench also directed the Registrar General of the High Court concerned to submit a status report on the issue before the next date of hearing.

 

“The authorities shall consider setting up two separate exclusive courts, one for dealing with the CBI cases and another for dealing with the NIA cases arising out of the Manipur violence. The Registrar General of the High Court shall submit a status report in this regard before the next date of hearing,” the bench ordered. The CJI said the bench had devised a mechanism for monitoring the investigation and also issued directions regarding reports concerning such probes. The bench said there were cases where chargesheets have been filed. “The request is that particulars of those cases, including the relevant case numbers and status of the proceedings, be made available so that the legal counsel as well as the families concerned have access to the reports and proceedings.

 

We accept the request and direct that the relevant particulars and reports be compiled and placed before the court,” the bench said. “We have also considered the status reports regarding the cases investigated by the CBI and the NIA and the courts before which the chargesheets have been filed. It has been pointed out that there are Special Judges dealing with CBI and NIA cases,” it said. The bench said its concern was whether these courts are dealing exclusively with the CBI and NIA cases arising out of the Manipur violence or whether they are also dealing with other cases. It then asked the authorities to consider setting up two separate exclusive courts, one for dealing with the CBI cases and another for dealing with the NIA cases arising out of the Manipur violence.

 

The bench also noted the facts about attacks on Assam Rifles and protests seeking NRC (National Register of Citizens) before the census. “As regards the safety and security situation in Manipur, joint action by the Manipur Police and security forces has strengthened the process of recovery of arms and ammunition, as well as arrests. With respect to the law-and-order situation, the CBI and NIA shall be facilitated so that they are able to carry out their investigation uninterruptedly,” it said. The State of Manipur, as well as the Central agencies and security agencies, shall extend necessary support and coordination to ensure the proper functioning of the system and maintenance of security, including the safety of students, it said. During the hearing, the bench was informed by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that the CBI has investigated 31 cases, with final reports filed in 27, including 22 chargesheets and five closure reports. 

 

 

MANIPUR Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Monday reviewed the law and order situation along the state's national highways, days after announcing plans to reopen the routes for all communities. Singh chaired a meeting which reviewed the prevailing law and order situation along the highways and discussed measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt peace and normal movement. The meeting came after Singh announced that the NHs would be reopened for all communities.