In a pivotal decision on Monday, the Supreme Court declared that the trial of cases related to the ethnic violence in Manipur will proceed in Guwahati, Assam. This announcement confirms the previous transfer of these cases for pre-trial proceedings to ensure a fair trial process.
The decision was made by a three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, which also extended the tenure of a supervisory committee until July 31, 2025. This committee, headed by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, includes former judges Shalini P. Joshi of the Bombay High Court and Asha Menon of the Delhi High Court. Established on August 7, 2023, the panel’s role is to oversee the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the violence.
The directive encompasses 27 cases with varied charges, notably including a high-profile sexual assault case that gained attention due to a disturbing viral video showing two women being paraded naked. Out of these cases, 20 involve serious allegations such as molestation, rape, and murder, while three pertain to the looting of weapons.
Chief Justice Khanna emphasized the need for trials to be held in Guwahati to maintain an impartial environment, away from the intense local tensions in Manipur. The Gauhati High Court’s Chief Justice has been instructed to appoint one or more judicial officers to handle these cases.
The bench has scheduled the next hearing for the week of July 21. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, noted concerns about potential biases or ulterior motives affecting the trials.
In an additional measure, the Supreme Court has directed the Manipur government to provide a detailed report on properties affected during the violence. This includes properties that were burnt, looted, or unlawfully occupied, specifying current occupants and the legal actions taken against any trespassers. The court emphasized the need for the state to resolve issues related to these properties and to consider compensation for unlawful occupancy.
