The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the 2023 Manipur violence cases to help build confidence among the victims and their families by ensuring speedy trial, as it noted a fresh spurt of violence in the state and several cases probed by the CBI and special investigation team (SIT) where trial is yet to commence.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said, “You are the prosecutor. You have to ensure confidence building measures with the victims and their families. Unless there is speedy trial, confidence cannot be restored.”
The court was hearing two appeals filed by the CBI seeking cancellation of bail to two persons involved in one of the heinous cases arising out of the communal violence that rocked the state from May 2023 to February 2024.
The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said, “The women there are traumatised. You have to give confidence to victims….It serves no purpose to quibble over interim orders of bail. Our main concern is to bring home the truth through the judicial process of guilt or innocence.”
The court referred to another proceeding where the investigation and trial into Manipur violence cases are being monitored on a periodic basis. In August 2023, the court directed CBI to take over 30 heinous cases in which the trial was shifted to Assam to inspire confidence in the victims and witnesses. The court appointed former Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra Dattatraya Padsalgikar to monitor the investigation and trials, and formed a three-member committee of judges headed by justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of J&K high court, to look into issues of rehabilitation and resettlement of victims.
Since that matter was also listed before the same bench, the court said, “There is a disturbing report submitted by the former DGP pointing out that law and order is quite precarious as new incidents of violence have taken place on April 7 and 18. Due to rallies and sit-in protests even the state police is stretched to the maximum.”
Additional solicitor general (ASG) DP SIngh appearing for CBI told the court that 21 cases are currently under trial and with cooperation from witnesses, victims, and accused, the agency expects to complete trial in 6 to 7 months. He urged the court to consider cancellation of bail to enable witnesses’ statements to be recorded without any fear.
The bench said, “Bail has been granted due to the lapse by CBI. The trial is now in Assam. You have to give that confidence to the victims. The high court has considered the liberty of these persons. Unless there is some egregious case made out against them, no ground of cancelling bail is made out.”
The court directed the states of Manipur and Assam to ensure effective rollout of witness protection and victim protection schemes and ordered all stakeholders, including the state legal service authorities of Manipur and Assam to provide all legal support to the victims and witnesses in deposing during trial.
The victims were also represented in court by Mohd Nizam Pasha who said that the victims are also planning to file appeals against the bail granted to the two accused. He said that in May 2025, the Gauhati high court had observed that the accused are charged with a heinous offence of rape and murder and four months later, they are granted bail.
The bench said, “Our main concern is to see that the trial in these cases proceed smoothly. To this limited extent we are examining the matter here.” The status report filed by the special investigation team (SIT) in Manipur before the court submitted that out of 297 cases, charge sheets have been filed against 414 accused. However, trial has commenced only in 10 cases.
The bench said, “The ongoing trials need to be expedited. We impress upon the CBI and all stakeholders, including legal service authorities, to provide legal aid who can interact with victims, their families, and witnesses.
The court directed the investigating agencies to file fresh status reports when the court will take up the matter next.
