Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Monday, August 10, asked the Manipur and Assam governments and other concerned authorities to consider establishing two exclusive special courts to hear cases investigated by the CBI and NIA in connection with the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was reviewing the progress of investigations into cases related to the violence when it directed authorities to examine the feasibility of setting up separate courts for the two central agencies.
The bench proposed one exclusive court for cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and another for cases handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The court also directed authorities to compile details of cases in which chargesheets have been filed, including case numbers and the status of proceedings. The information should 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.
The Supreme Court noted that special judges are already handling CBI and NIA matters but sought clarification on whether they are exclusively dealing with cases arising from the Manipur violence or are also hearing other cases.
“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 bench said.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the CBI has investigated 31 cases linked to the violence.
Final reports have been filed in 27 cases, including 22 chargesheets and five closure reports, while four cases remain under investigation.
Of the 22 cases in which the CBI has filed chargesheets, courts have taken cognisance in 20, while cognisance is pending in two. One case is triable by a magistrate, while the remaining cases involve Sessions trials. Bhati said all CBI cases had been transferred to Gauhati.
The NIA, which was entrusted with 30 cases, has filed chargesheets in 15, while investigations continue in the remaining 15 cases.
Bhati said the 15 chargesheeted cases were ready for trial, although further investigation was continuing in some matters. 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 during the hearing over victims and their families allegedly not having access to status reports and chargesheets despite earlier directions.
The bench directed authorities to compile details of the cases and relevant reports and place them before the court, while ensuring that the concerned families and their legal counsel have access to the proceedings.
The court also directed authorities to facilitate uninterrupted investigations by the CBI and NIA and ensure coordination between the Manipur government, central agencies and security forces.
The bench took note of joint operations by Manipur Police and security forces to recover arms and ammunition and make arrests. It also stressed the need for adequate security arrangements, including 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 for the majority Meitei community. More than 200 people have been killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced since the violence began.