Manipur Violence: CBI To Investigate All 12 Cases Of Crime Against Women, Supreme Court To Monitor Probe

Manipur violence hearing: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will monitor the investigation into cases of violence against women which occured during the three months of ethnic clashes in Manipur. The apex court's proposal to form the committee came after the Manipur government told the court that it will transfer 12 cases of crimes against women to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said the Supreme Court will constitute a three-member committee of former high court judges to monitor the probe as well as relief and remedial measures in the strife-torn state.  

"Our efforts are to restore a sense of confidence in the rule of law. We will constitute at one level a committee of three former HC judges. This committee will be looking at things apart from investigation - including relief, remedial measures etc," the court said.

CBI To Take Over 12 Cases Of Crimes Against Women

The Manipur government, led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, earlier informed the Supreme Court that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe all 12 cases of crimes against women registered in the northeastern state. The 12 cases, which will be transferred to CBI, include five gang-rape cases, four murder cases and others on assault with intent to outrage the modesty of 10 other women, the Hindustan Times reported.

Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh was also present in the Supreme Court as he was summoned in connection with the hearing of the batch of pleas pertaining to the Kuki-Meitei clashes in the state which erupted on May 3 this year.

Supreme Court To Monitor Probe

Apart from the three-judge committee, the Supreme Court said there will be five officers of atleast the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, brought into the CBI from various states. "These officers will also be functioning within the four corners of infrastructure and administrative structure of CBI," the CJI said.

The Bench told the government that it would be deputing an IPS officer to oversee the investigations. "We're going to add one more layer of scrutiny. I've already identified officers- we have identified a former IPS officer who has wide experience in investigation- this is not an SIT but an additional oversight to report back to us," CJI Chandrachud said.

CJI DY Chandrachud-led bench, hearing the matter, said that a total of 42 special investigation teams (SITs) led by SP-rank officers will be formed to investigate the cases which have not been transferred to the CBI. 

Taking note of the prevailing situation in the violence-hit state, the apex court bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, said, "The investigation is so lethargic. No arrests were made. Statements being recorded after such lapse of time. This gives the impression that there was no law and a breakdown of constitutional machinery."

"Maybe it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the locality… but even then there was a complete breakdown of law and order," the three-judge bench added to its observation.

Saying that the "state police can't be entrusted" with the investigations, the apex court directed the Manipur government to come up with a mechanism on who will investigate the 6,500 FIRs lodged in connection with the violence.

"We are not in a situation where the state police carry out the investigation. So we will need a mechanism," said Supreme Court. "We are clear about the fact that entrusting CBI with the investigation of 6,500 FIRs is impossible," the top court further said. It added, "There is a need to be a mechanism to bifurcate these 6500 FIRs because the CBI cannot be burdened with all 6500 otherwise it will result in the breakdown of the CBI mechanism also."

The bench asked the state government to prepare a statement setting out the date of occurrence, date of registration of zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, date on which witness statements have been recorded, date on which statements under section 164 CrPC have been recorded, and date of arrests made.

(With inputs from ANI)