Supreme Court directs special courts for Manipur violence

The Supreme Court has announced plans to establish special courts to conduct day-to-day trials for cases stemming from the ethnic violence in Manipur, while directing investigative agencies to expedite their work. The directives were issued on July 24 by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, which also ordered the Manipur government to provide full cooperation to the Central Bureau of Investigation and Special Investigation Teams.

The court emphasized that the formation of special courts, to be set up in consultation with the state and the high courts of Manipur and Gauhati, is contingent upon the completion of investigations and the filing of charge sheets. It acknowledged significant delays, noting that SITs in Manipur are investigating 3,020 cases across eight districts but have filed charge sheets in only 301 cases. Charges have been framed in 41 cases, and trials have commenced in just 10, involving a total of 2,924 witnesses. The CBI reported that of 31 cases transferred to it, charge sheets have been filed in 21, with supplementary investigations continuing in 11 others.

Investigators detailed substantial challenges impeding progress. The CBI cited a volatile...