Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 17: The Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed that trials in the Manipur ethnic violence cases, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), will be conducted in Guwahati, Assam, where they were previously transferred.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna also extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal-led committee until July 31, 2025. The committee, established on August 7, 2023, oversees relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of ethnic violence in Manipur. Former Bombay High Court judge Shalini P. Joshi and former Delhi High Court judge Asha Menon are also part of the panel.
Previously, the Supreme Court had extended the committee’s tenure by six months on August 5, 2024.
Legal Developments and Trial Transfer
During Monday’s hearing, the Bench addressed concerns about the trials of cases transferred to Guwahati for pre-trial proceedings in August 2023. The Chief Justice clarified that the actual trial would also take place in Guwahati.
The top court had earlier shifted 27 cases to Assam, citing the need for a fair judicial process amid the tense situation in Manipur. These cases include serious charges such as sexual assault, including the widely condemned incident of two women being paraded naked, as well as cases of molestation, rape, murder, and looting of weapons.
The Gauhati High Court Chief Justice has been directed to designate one or more judicial officers to oversee these cases.
Reports on Violence and Rehabilitation
The Supreme Court also addressed the issue of reports submitted by the Justice Mittal-led panel, agreeing to share them with litigants while advising caution due to the sensitive nature of the content. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, echoed concerns about potential misuse of the reports.
The Bench scheduled the next hearing for the week of July 21.
In an earlier order on December 9, 2024, the Supreme Court instructed the Manipur government to provide a detailed report on properties damaged, looted, or encroached upon during the ongoing violence. The court stressed the importance of addressing the grievances of displaced persons and ensuring the restoration of their properties.
The report must include:
• Details of fully and partially burnt buildings
• Information on looted properties
• Records of trespassed or encroached properties
• Identification of rightful owners and current occupants
• Legal actions taken against illegal occupants
The Supreme Court also instructed the state government to take action against encroachers, including requiring them to pay mesne profits—a legal term for compensation paid by unlawful occupants to rightful property owners.
Additionally, the court asked the state government to clarify the status of funds allocated for temporary and permanent housing for displaced individuals, as raised by the judges’ panel.
Background and Violence in Manipur
In August 2023, the Supreme Court appointed former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to oversee investigations into the violence-related cases.
The ethnic clashes in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2023, following a "Tribal Solidarity March" in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence has since claimed over 200 lives, left hundreds injured, and displaced thousands of people from their homes.