SC Pushes for Special Courts to Speed Up Manipur Violence Trials
SC Pushes for Special Courts to Speed Up Manipur Violence Trials
The Supreme Court has proposed special courts to fast-track trials in the Manipur violence cases. Learn how this move aims to bring justice and expedite long-pending investigations.
The Supreme Court has recently taken a significant step towards ensuring justice for the victims of the 2023 Manipur violence, proposing the establishment of special courts to conduct daily trials. This move comes amid concerns over "inordinate delay" in investigations and prosecutions related to the ethnic conflict that gripped the state.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan highlighted the severe challenges faced by investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Special Investigation Team (SIT). They noted that the prevailing law and order situation, coupled with the displacement of many witnesses, has made examining crucial testimonies incredibly difficult.
Furthermore, the court observed that the prolonged suspension of internet services in the region significantly hampered the collection of vital digital evidence. Restrictions on the movement of investigating officers on the ground also contributed to delays, effectively stalling field investigations and prolonging the probe process.
To counter these obstacles, the Bench tentatively proposed forming special courts. These courts would work in concurrence with the State of Manipur and the High Courts of Manipur and Gauhati, ensuring trials proceed on a day-to-day basis. This focused approach is expected to dramatically cut down the time taken for legal proceedings.
To facilitate the effective establishment of these proposed special courts, the Supreme Court has directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who represents the State government, SIT, and CBI, to compile comprehensive details of all related cases. This includes identifying cases where investigations are complete and chargesheets filed, as well as those where probes are still underway. This crucial information will help determine the exact number and strength of special courts required to handle the caseload expeditiously. The apex court underscored the urgency of expediting all pending investigations to prevent any further delays in delivering justice.
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