Imphal: The Supreme Court ordered the Gauhati High Court to study the feasibility of opening exclusive courts for cases stemming from the 2023 Manipur violence. Justice Surya Kant and his colleagues, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued the directive during a review of pending investigations. Trials were previously shifted from Manipur to Assam to ensure safety. The Court wants a status report on this proposal before the next hearing.
Investigations remain slow. Many witnesses in CBI cases are still waiting to testify. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati reported that the CBI holds 31 cases, with 27 final reports filed and four still under investigation. Of those 27, 22 are chargesheets and five are closure reports. Courts have taken cognisance of 20 chargesheeted cases.
The NIA handles 30 cases, filing chargesheets in 15 of them. Seven of these cases have reached the stage of framed charges. These NIA files are scattered: two in Delhi, five in Gauhati, and eight back in Manipur. Agencies must continue their work without interference from ongoing local unrest. The Bench told authorities to assist the CBI, NIA, and the Special Investigation Team to keep the wheels of justice turning.
Transparency remains a major issue for survivors. Senior advocate Vrinda Grover argued that victims lack access to critical case files. The Court ordered officials to compile and publish all case and Sessions trial numbers. This move aims to help victims, their families, and lawyers track proceedings. "The Court noted that a large number of witnesses were yet to be examined in CBI cases." Investigators must submit new status reports before the court reconvenes.
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