Manipur: SC transfers CBI cases to Assam

The Supreme Court on Friday transferred the cases of violence in Manipur being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to Assam. The decision was taken bearing in mind the "overall environment" in Manipur and the "need for ensuring a fair process of criminal justice system."

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud passed the directions and urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officers, including that of the rank of district and sessions judges in Gauhati to kickstart the trials.

The bench ordered that all applications seeking the production of accused, remand, judicial custody and other proceedings in connection with the investigation are to be conducted in online mode "bearing in mind the distance and security issues".


So that the victims and witnesses are not inconvenienced, the SC has given them the liberty to record their statement through video conferencing. The bench also ordered that proper internet facilities will be provided in Manipur to allow such video conferences. However, the SC clarified that its directions shall not preclude anyone (victim/witness) who desires to appear in person and record statements. Also, the SC ordered that statements of witnesses be recorded before the magistrate, under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the "presence of a local magistrate, Manipur", or may be the place where witnesses reside outside Manipur, the court clarified. The acting Chief Justice of Manipur HC has been urged to "designate one or more magistrates as need arise for recording" of statements before the magistrates. It might be clarified here that the transfer of trials are confined to the cases being investigated by the CBI.