Imphal: The Supreme Court announced on Monday that the trials for cases related to the Manipur ethnic violence, which are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), will proceed permanently in Guwahati, Assam. This decision solidifies the earlier transfer of these cases to Guwahati for pre-trial proceedings.
A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, also extended the tenure of the committee overseeing relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of the Manipur violence until July 31, 2025. This committee, headed by retired Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, includes former Bombay High Court judge Shalini P Joshi and former Delhi High Court judge Asha Menon. The committee was initially formed on August 7, 2023, and its tenure was previously extended by six months on August 5, 2023.
During the proceedings, the bench addressed concerns raised by a lawyer regarding the status of the trials transferred to Guwahati on August 25, 2023. “We clarify that the trial of transferred cases will be held before the courts at Guwahati,” stated the Chief Justice.
The decision to transfer 27 cases to Assam, including those involving sexual assault, molestation, rape, murder, and the looting of weapons, was based on the need for a fair criminal justice process given the “overall environment in Manipur.” Among the 27 cases, 20 involve molestation, rape, and murder, while three pertain to the looting of weapons. The Gauhati High Court Chief Justice was directed to appoint judicial officers to handle these transferred cases.
The Supreme Court also addressed the distribution of reports submitted by the judges’ panel, agreeing to supply them to all litigants while urging caution due to the “sensitivities involved.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, echoed this sentiment, noting the possibility of “other motives.” The next hearing is scheduled for the week of July 21.
Furthermore, the court reiterated its directive from December 9, 2023, requiring the Manipur government to submit a detailed report on the number of properties fully or partially damaged, looted, or encroached upon during the violence. The report must include specific details such as “buildings burnt or partially burnt, buildings looted, buildings trespassed or encroached upon,” along with information on the owners, current occupants, and any legal actions taken against trespassers. The court emphasized the need for the state to address the grievances of displaced persons and restore their properties, including pursuing criminal action and demanding “mesne profits” from encroachers.
The court also asked the Manipur government to respond to the issue of releasing funds for temporary and permanent housing, as highlighted by the judges’ panel. In August 2023, the Supreme Court appointed former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the investigations into the criminal cases.
The ethnic violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023, during a “tribal solidarity march” protesting the Meitei community’s demand for scheduled tribe status, has resulted in over 200 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and the displacement of thousands.
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