Upset SC calls for special courts in Manipur violence; directs agencies to expedite pending investigations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday indicated that it plans to constitute special courts to conduct day-to-day trials of cases connected to the ethnic violence in Manipur and directed investigating agencies to expedite pending investigations.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant directed the Manipur government to extend full cooperation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Special Investigation Teams (SITs), which are facing various difficulties in completing the probes.

"We tentatively propose to constitute special courts, probably in consultation with the State of Manipur and the High Court of Manipur and Gauhati High Court, so that the trials can be taken up on a day-to-day basis, especially in light of the inordinate delay that has already taken place in the ongoing investigations," CJI Kant said.


He added, "This will be possible only when the CBI as well as the SITs are able to conclude the investigations and file their respective charge sheets. We, therefore, urge both the agencies to do their best, despite the impediments, and complete the investigations."

During the hearing, the bench noted that the SITs are investigating 3,020 cases across eight districts, but charge sheets have been filed in only 301 cases. It added that charges have been framed in 41 cases and trials have commenced in 10. A total of 2,924 witnesses has been cited in these cases.

Meanwhile, the CBI said it has filed charge sheets in 21 of the 31 cases transferred to it, while supplementary investigation is underway in 11 cases. It also submitted that closure reports have been filed in six cases, of which three have been accepted. The remaining four cases are still under investigation.

The CBI further highlighted the challenges hampering the probes.

"Witnesses are refusing to cooperate due to mistrust. There are language barriers because of the existence of numerous regional dialects, posing a significant impediment to effective communication with local residents and witnesses," the federal agency submitted before the court.