IMPHAL, March 17: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday confirmed that the trial of the Manipur ethnic violence cases, currently under investigation by the CBI, will be held in Guwahati, Assam. The cases had been transferred to Guwahati earlier, and the court reaffirmed that the trials will proceed there to ensure a fair judicial process, considering the sensitive environment in Manipur.
A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, also extended the tenure of a committee overseeing relief and rehabilitation for the victims of the violence. The committee, headed by Justice Gita Mittal, the former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, was established on August 7, 2023. The bench extended the panel’s term until July 31, 2025. The panel also includes former Bombay High Court judge Shalini P Joshi and Asha Menon, former Delhi High Court judge.
The Supreme Court had transferred 27 cases from Manipur to Guwahati for pre-trial proceedings on August 25, 2023. These cases involve serious offenses, including molestation, rape, murder, and the viral video incident showing the sexual assault of two women. The bench emphasized that the trial of these cases will take place in Guwahati, under the jurisdiction of judicial officers nominated by the Gauhati High Court Chief Justice.
The cases cover a range of serious crimes, with 20 related to charges of molestation, rape, and murder, while three concern the looting of weapons. The Supreme Court also addressed the submission of reports from the judges’ panel, agreeing that they should be shared with all litigants, but advising caution due to the sensitivities of the cases involved. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, also acknowledged the possibility of ulterior motives from some parties involved.
The bench scheduled the next hearing for the week of July 21, 2025, where further developments in the case will be reviewed.
In addition, the Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to submit a detailed sealed report on properties that were either burned, looted, or encroached upon during the violence. The court emphasized the need for the state to address the grievances of displaced persons and take appropriate actions to restore their properties. The report was required to include information on the owners and current occupants of these properties, as well as legal actions taken against trespassers.
The court also requested that the Manipur government take steps to ensure trespassers are dealt with according to the law, including the recovery of ‘mesne profits’—compensation for the unlawful occupation of property. Furthermore, the state was instructed to respond to the issue of releasing funds for both temporary and permanent housing, as highlighted by the relief panel.
