CBI Moves Supreme Court Seeking Bail Cancellation Of Two Accused In Manipur Violence Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to two persons accused of gangrape and parading women naked during the Manipur ethnic clashes of 2023.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter today and issued notice on CBI's plea, calling for the response of the accused. It further directed provision of free legal aid to the victims.

The matter was listed alongwith another plea filed by a third accused seeking bail, after his prayer for bail was rejected by the High Court. In this case, notice had been issued earlier.

During the hearing, CBI SPP DP Singh highlighted to the Court that allegations in the case pertained to gangrape, murder and parading women naked. Yet, bail was granted, considering pre-trial detention of 2 years. He further emphasized that the High Court itself noted that the allegations were grave and shocking. On the other hand, Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for the victims in the third case (where notice was earlier issued) raised the issue of non-appointment of legal aid counsels for the victims.

To recap, in 2023, a horrific video of May 4 showed two women in Manipur being paraded naked and subjected to sexual violence amidst the ethnic conflict in the State. The Supreme Court, on July 20, took suo motu cognizance of the matter and asked the Centre and the State Governments to inform it of the steps taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged yesterday about the two women who were paraded in Manipur. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government really steps in and takes action. This is simply unacceptable”, the then CJI said while taking suo motu cognizance.

In August, 2023, a bench comprising former CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra constituted a 3-member Committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal (former Chief Justice of J&K High Court) to enquire into the violence against women during the sectarian strife.

The Committee was asked to recommend measures for medical and psychological care, dignity in relief camps and compensation, including monetary compensation through NALSA and SALSA. It was also tasked with disbursement of compensation to the victims and had to submit its report to the Court in 2 months.

Further, the Court appointed Maharashtra's former DGP-Dattatray Padsalgikar to supervise investigations conducted by the CBI and the state police. He was authorized to take officers on deputation for constituting SITs, visit relief camps and enforce safeguards in sexual offence cases.

Notably, 11 FIRs pertaining to sexual violence against women during the clashes were transferred to CBI and the prosecution is going on in Assam. In September, 2025, two of the accused persons (respondents) were granted bail by the Gauhati High Court, apparently, upon considering their pre-trial detention of 2 years.

Challenging the bail order, CBI approached the Supreme Court.

Appearance: CBI Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh; Advocates Nizam Pasha and Sidharth Kaushik (for victims)

Case Title: CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Versus ARUN KHUNDONGBAM @NANAO, Diary No. 7602-2026; THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Versus NAMEIRAKPAM KIRAN MEITEI, Diary No. 7619-2026