Supreme Court Designates Assam for Trial of Manipur Violence Cases Probed by CBI

New Delhi, August 25, 2023: In a significant move, the Supreme Court has decided that the trial for the Manipur violence cases under investigation by the CBI will be held in the neighboring state of Assam. The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court has been directed to nominate one or more judicial officers to preside over these matters.

Under the leadership of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, the bench issued a series of directives, specifying that judicial procedures pertaining to the production of accused individuals, remand, judicial custody, and its extension will be conducted online at a designated court in Gauhati.

To streamline the process, the court ruled that if granted, the judicial custody of the accused will be carried out in Manipur to eliminate the need for transit.

Additionally, individuals involved in CBI cases, including victims and witnesses, have been granted the option to appear physically before the designated Gauhati court if they prefer not to participate online.

The Supreme Court has also urged the Manipur government to ensure proper internet services, enabling seamless online hearings at the Gauhati court for CBI cases.

In a prior move on August 21, the apex court had appointed a committee led by Justice Gita Mittal to oversee the relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of ethnic violence in Manipur.

More than 10 cases, including one involving the sexual assault of two women whose video went viral on social media, were transferred to the CBI.

The appointed panel has emphasized the importance of providing identity documents to those affected by the ethnic strife, recommending that Aadhaar cards be made available to the displaced individuals and that the victims’ compensation scheme be expanded.

In the wake of ethnic violence that erupted on May 3 following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March,’ the state has witnessed over 160 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The turmoil arose as the hill districts protested against the Meitei community’s call for Scheduled Tribe status.