Manipur Violence| Supreme Court Seeks CBI's Status Report On Sexual Violence Cases; Proposes To Ask HC To Monitor Trials

In the matter relating to the sexual violence cases during the Manipur crisis, the Supreme Court today sought the status report from the CBI on the investigation so far. The Court also hinted at the possibility of re-assigning the case monitoring task from the Justice Gita Mittal Committee to the Manipur High Court. The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the issue of the trial of sexual violence cases that occurred during the Manipur ethnic crisis. At the outset, the CJI pointed out that the present 3-member committee, headed by Justice Gita Mittal, was tasked with ensuring a fair and time-bound investigation into the cases, as per the directions dated October 7, 2023. The CJI expressed that it was better to re-assign this task to the new Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, considering that the committee is already looking into other humanitarian aspects. Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for a few of the victims, informed that an application has been filed seeking a status report from the CBI on all 11 cases, which were referred to it for investigation as per earlier orders.She submitted that the Supreme Court had transferred 11 sexual violence cases to the CBI for probe. She added that one of the victims died in January 2026. In her case, Grover mentioned that she could only access the trial court orders now. Grover further stressed that the CBI did not update the victim on the status of the probe and trial, which affected her confidence in the system. She submitted : "The CBI never informed her, mylords that hope, that she may get justice, has kept her alive. Nobody ever informed her that there is a chargesheet filed." She added that the trial is being taken very casually: "The two accused are not appearing, the CBI is not present..." she added. Grover argued that the victims may not be comfortable travelling to Manipur, considering threats to their safety. Additionally, she pointed out that the CBI is not keeping other case victims informed about the status of the probe/trial. " In 11 cases, no one is informed. How do I know whether my deceased daughter's case is taking place? What is the difficulty in doing that?" SG Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union, submitted that he had no issues with handing over the monitoring of the cases to the High Court. He said : "The CBI must answer whether to mylords or the High Court, the state is now calm and peaceful, everyone is travelling, there are transborder issues with Myanmar, some vested interests representing those here. It would be better if the local environment were appreciated by the Chief Justice and the brother judges."Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for a few victims in a connected case, informed the bench that, as per the previous order of the Court, the cases were transferred to Assam for pre-trial steps, and the victims and witnesses are deposing from Churachandpur.The CJI stressed that it would be ideal for handing over the monitoring to the Manipur High Court, as presently, his bench was also preoccupied with several other matters. This would ensure speedy justice. He remarked that the Chief Justices of Manipur and the Gauhati High Courts can coordinate and come up with an effective approach to this."For strengthening the rule of law, and the purpose of Justice, we can ask the Chief Justices of both the High Courts (Manipur and Assam) to coordinate and ensure how the statements are to be recorded, how a free and fearless environment, how can be provided."The bench proceeded to direct the CBI to file its status report on the investigation into the cases so far and also asked the Chief Justices of Manipur and Guwahati High Courts to establish a mechanism for effective co-ordination to monitor the cases. "Let the CBI file its status report on the next date of hearing, other matters maybe simply adjourned. In view of the fact that a new Hon'ble Chief Justice has taken oath with Manipur, and an effective mechanism can be at the state level or at the regional level there in co-ordination with Hon'ble Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court and Chief Justice of Manipur High Court can be effectively established, let Sr Counsels, counsels for the parties have instructions in the matter as to why not the day to day monitoring of all the matters pending be entrusted to the jurisdiction of the High Court." Sr Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the Manipur Tribal Forum urged the Court to direct the handing over of the 27 reports of the Gita Mittal Committee for the purposes of the issue of Rehabilitation and criminal justice. SG objected to the application filed by the Forum, arguing that " the committee has reported to mylords that these organisations are causing hindrance, and they are instigating people to continue violence." Gonsalves countered that this claim was not true, and the issue of violence was related to a dispute over a burial. Gonsalves requested that the Court disclose those reports which it may deem...

Manipur Violence| Supreme Court Seeks CBI's Status Report On Sexual Violence Cases; Proposes To Ask HC To Monitor Trials

Anmol Kaur Bawa

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