SC Proposes Special Courts for Manipur Violence Cases!
SC Proposes Special Courts for Manipur Violence Cases!
India's Supreme Court takes decisive action, proposing special courts to fast-track CBI & NIA investigations into the Manipur ethnic violence. A crucial step towards justice.
The Supreme Court of India on Monday, August 10, 2026, made a significant proposal to establish Special Courts dedicated solely to hearing cases related to the Manipur ethnic violence. These courts would specifically handle investigations conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), aiming to expedite the judicial process for the victims.
A Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, formally requested the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to set up these Special Courts. The directive emphasizes the need for day-to-day hearings for both CBI and NIA cases linked to the 2023 Manipur violence, underscoring the urgency to deliver justice, which has remained elusive for many affected.
According to the latest status report presented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, the CBI has investigated 31 cases. Out of these, final reports have been filed in 27, comprising 22 charge sheets and five closure reports, with four cases still under investigation. Cognisance has already been taken in 20 of the 22 charge-sheeted cases. The report further highlighted that only one of these cases was triable by a Magistrate, while the rest involve serious offenses requiring trial by a Sessions court.
Similarly, the NIA has investigated a total of 30 cases related to the violence, with charge sheets filed in 15 of them. The remaining 15 cases are still actively under investigation. The Supreme Court had previously transferred the CBI cases from Manipur to Gauhati for trial, indicating an ongoing effort to ensure impartiality and efficiency.
The decision to propose exclusive Special Courts was largely prompted by the sheer volume of witnesses awaiting examination. The CBI’s status report revealed a staggering 891 out of 904 witnesses in their cases are yet to testify. Earlier hearings saw the apex court consistently pushing for detailed status reports on investigations, specifically demanding evidence to "bring home the guilt" of individuals accused of heinous offenses, including widespread sexual assault and gangrape of women during the sectarian violence that gripped the northeastern state. The Court is awaiting a status report on the formation of these special courts by the next hearing.
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