Manipur HC directs NIA to file chargesheet in Jiribam killings

Guwahati: The Manipur High Court has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file a chargesheet within one month in connection with the Jiribam killings of November 2024 that claimed 3 women and 3 children.

The order came after the central agency submitted two sealed progress reports detailing its ongoing investigation.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh issued the directive while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Uripok Apunba Lup, a civil society organisation, which has been seeking judicial oversight of the case.


The Centre’s counsel placed before the court two sets of sealed covered envelopes, containing a detailed progress report on the investigation. “Keeping in view the status in this matter, one month’s time is granted for submitting the detailed report in terms of charge sheet under Section 173 of CrPC and corresponding provision of BNSS Act, 2023,” the High Court said

The court had earlier stated, “It is made clear that if there is no progress made, the matter would be viewed seriously,” it added.

The court had earlier expressed concern over the apparent lack of progress in the investigation. Referring to the November 11, 2024, incident, the bench said, "An FIR was registered on the same day by the competent authority. However, to date, no progress report has been submitted by the investigating agency under the provisions of Section 167 of the CrPC, and no chargesheet has been filed."

The court had stated, "It has been more than seven months since the incident occurred. If the chargesheet is not filed, the matter should be viewed seriously."

Three Meitei women and three children, including a 10-month-old infant, were abducted on November 11 last year from Borobekra area in Jiribam district. Their bullet-riddled bodies were later recovered from Barak River along Manipur-Assam border on November 15.

On November 26, 2024, NIA in a statement had stated acting swiftly on the Union Ministry of Home Affairs directions to bring the culprits to book expeditiously, NIA has launched thorough investigations into three major cases relating to the recent spate of violence in Manipur.

The anti-terror agency re-registered three cases afresh on 13th November 2024, after the MHA decided to hand over the investigations to NIA considering the gravity of the offences, amid escalating violence in the strife-torn state and with a view to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks.

In the first case (FIR No. 29(11) Borobekra PS, dated 11th November 2024), several houses were burnt, and two civilians were killed at Borobekra. Later unknown militants had also abducted and murdered 6 persons including 3 women and 3 children.