Manipur Mayhem: SC Summons Police Chief, Moots Judicial Committee To Examine Cases

The Supreme Court Tuesday (1 August) asked Manipur’s Director General of Police Rajiv Singh to be present in Court next Monday (July 7) to help the apex court “determine the nature of investigations” into various crimes committed in the state since May 3. 

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra mooted the formation of a judicial committee comprising retired judges to examine allegations and cases of violence in Manipur. 

The bench castigated the state authorities and Manipur Police for failing to control the law and order situation and violence in the state.

“Based on preliminary data, it prima facie appears that investigation has been tardy with considerable lapse between occurrence and the registration of FIR, recording of witness statements and arrests have been few and far between. In order to help the Court to determine the nature of investigation, we direct the DGP Manipur to be personally present in the Supreme Court to aid the Court,” the bench said. 

The SC bench also said: “We may think of eventually, based on data, constituting a committee of former Judges of the High Court. It will be a broad based committee. First we will decide on the remit such as relief, compensation, rehabilitation, to ensure that investigation is fair, recording of statements irrespective of where the victims are. Many have left Manipur. We are inclined to form a committee”. 

The Court asked the Solicitor General to take instructions on who should probe the cases. The CJI-headed bench remarked that it has some suggestions on the investigations. 

“There are 6500 FIRs. Of course, all of them cannot be transferred to the CBI. CBI will then be rendered dysfunctional. We have some suggestions on how to lead the probe into all these FIRs. Entrusting the CBI with the investigation of 6500 FIRs is impossible and the state police cannot look into this. We will hear you and pass our order. We have given you our mind so there are no surprises,” the bench told the Solicitor General. 

The Court also expressed its displeasure over the statistics of cases placed before it.

The Court was informed that 6,496 criminal cases were registered over the violence between May 3 and July 25. A total of 150 deaths had been officially recorded till June 9. Over 500 persons have been injured. Eleven FIRs on allegations of violence against women and children have been registered and seven arrests have been made so far in these cases. 

The Court observed that the material disclosed is inadequate since there was no disaggregation of 6500 FIRs under categories of offences. “The state must carry out the process of disaggregation and inform the Court on how many FIRs deal with murder, rape, arson and looting, destruction of houses and properties, outraging of modesty of women and destruction of places of religious worship and grievous hurt,” the Court ordered. 

The Supreme Court had registered a suo motu case a day after a video surfaced of the stripping and parading of three women and subsequent rape of one woman in Manipur last month. The Union Government also ordered a probe by the CBI. Later, two of the women approached the apex court. 

While hearing the case Monday (July 31), the SC contemplated the formation of a committee of retired women judges to probe into incidents of sexual violence against women in Manipur. 

The Court had sought details from the state and Union governments about the 6000 FIRs claimed to have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3. 

Though Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the Court of the details of the cases filed, the Court remained unimpressed and was irked over the delay in taking action against the perpetrators of violence. 

CJI Chandrachud observed: “State police are incapable of investigation. Absolutely, There is no law and order left at all. In 6000 FIRs you have made seven arrests?”

This case will come up for hearing against on August 7.