Imphal, July 29: The Manipur High Court has issued a final one-month extension to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file a chargesheet in connection with the November 2024 Jiribam killings, involving the abduction and murder of six individuals, including three minors. The court warned that any further delay in the high-profile case would be viewed seriously and may prompt judicial action.
During the hearing of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 18 of 2024, clubbed with Miscellaneous Case (PIL) No. 28 of 2025, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kempaiah Somashekar and Justice Ahantham Bimol Singh described the case as “grave and shocking.” The bench directed that sealed cover reports submitted by the NIA be kept in the custody of the Registrar General until further orders.
The petitioners, led by Soram Tikendrajit, urged the court to monitor the investigation, citing the prolonged delay and the emotional toll on the victims’ families. Senior Advocate Kh Tarunkumar, appearing for the petitioners, pointed out that the bodies of the victims—abducted on November 11, 2024—were recovered one after another from the Barak River, yet a chargesheet had not been filed even after the case was handed over to the NIA months ago.
Deputy Solicitor General of India Kh. Samarjit, representing the NIA, stated that the investigation was nearing completion and that procedural formalities under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, were underway. He sought a final extension, which the court granted, setting the next hearing for August 25, 2025.
Present at the hearing were key NIA officials including DIGP D. Sharavan, SP Ashish Kumar, DSP Vikas Kumar, and Public Prosecutor Lokesh Kumar. Advocate General Lenin appeared on behalf of the Manipur government.
The court waived the personal appearance of NIA officers for the next session unless otherwise instructed, while making it clear that further delays would not be tolerated.
