New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed that the trials of Manipur ethnic violence cases, currently under CBI investigation, will be conducted in Guwahati, Assam, as previously transferred.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, also extended the tenure of a committee led by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, until July 31, 2025.
The panel, which includes former Bombay High Court judge Shalini P. Joshi and former Delhi High Court judge Asha Menon, was constituted on August 7, 2023, to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of the violence.
The extension followed submissions regarding the cases transferred to Guwahati for pre-trial proceedings.
The bench reiterated that the trials would proceed in Assam to ensure a fair and impartial judicial process amid concerns about the prevailing situation in Manipur.
The court had earlier moved 27 cases to Guwahati, citing the need for fairness in criminal justice administration.
These included 20 cases of molestation, rape, and murder, along with three cases related to the looting of weapons.
Among the transferred cases was the viral incident involving two women paraded naked, which drew national outrage.
The Supreme Court emphasised caution in handling reports submitted by the relief panel, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the issues.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, highlighted the risk of some parties potentially misusing the information.
The bench scheduled the next hearing for the week of July 21, 2025, and directed the Manipur government to submit detailed reports on property damage, encroachment, and restoration efforts.
It had previously ordered data on fully or partially burned, looted, or trespassed properties, along with steps to address the grievances of displaced persons.
The court underscored the need for legal action against trespassers and suggested compensatory measures like mesne profits for unlawful occupation of properties.
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It also urged the state government to expedite fund allocation for temporary and permanent housing solutions for the displaced.
Additionally, the apex court appointed former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar in August 2023 to oversee the investigation into the criminal cases.
Ethnic violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023, during a “tribal solidarity march” against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has claimed over 200 lives, injured hundreds, and displaced thousands.
