A bench comprising of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a petition concerning the justice, rehabilitation of people affected by Manipur Violence since 2013, SC proposes establishment of Special Court to provide justice to aggrieved people, observing that the investigation done by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Special Investigation Team (SIT) must be completed to provide reasonable justice to people.
Victims are still haven’t receive the copies of chargesheet filed in their cases as in march, Supreme Court directed to be supplied chargesheet to victims or their family to make it access to them the case records easy as some cases was being trial in Guwahati and many victims continue to reside in relief cramps , so to make their case records access to them chargesheet provided to them. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bharti informed court that chargesheet has been provided to victims and their legal representative but copies has not been provided to women organisation or public interest petitioner as it contains some personal things. Senior Advocate Vrinda Grover claimed that families of two deceased has not been provided with the chargesheet yet. The court took on a note on the reports submitted by High Court of Manipur and High Court of Guwahati along with Legal Service Authority of both states, which has the duty to provide legal aid and provide chargesheet to victims or their families or their legal representative.
SC examined the progress made by CBI and SIT. According to CBI, in 21 cases chargesheet has been filed and in 11 cases investigation has been going on and additional 4 is under active investigation. According to SIT, handling around 3000 cases across 8 district of Manipur, submitted to court that in 301 cases chargesheet has been files while 10 cases out of then being trial in court. SC emphasised that prolonged investigation cannot became norm. Investigators faces many challenged due to prolonged justice including displacement of witness, deep mistrust among communities and internet shutdown. Therefore speedy justice would be provide to aggrieved and their family.
The Supreme Court considered application by International Meitei Organisation seeking transfer of 30 missing persons to CBI, arguing that families of missing person faced hardship and could not get death certificate until seven year elapsed. SC directed applicant to reach High Court of Manipur, who may consider the matter to SIT or any other investigative agencies.
Advocate Shahrukh Alam submitted that reconstruction of worship places that destroyed during Manipur violence are facing encroachment. To this CJI Surya Kant replies that the immediate priority after violence is to construct a roof over head of several people who lost their houses. At the same time court mention that no further encroachment on damaged religious sites would be permitted. CJI directed to place all relevant details to Justice Gita Mittal Committee, which has been working on rehabilitation of people in Manipur. Bench also extended the tenure of the committee till December because of their unfinished work.
The hearing shows the Supreme Court’s continued oversight over Manipur focus shifting from speedy justice, rehabilitation in Manipur , timely prosecution and effectively construction of religious site. By proposing special court and assisting investigative agencies court make sure the accountability and access to justice to each and every individual and proper investigation of the case central to legal responses to one of India’s most serious episodes of ethnic violence in recent years. Manipur is an integral part of India, it faces many challenges, riots in 2013. By proposing Special Court for Manipur case, it shows that the pending cases will b trail effectively and speedy justice would be provided.
