Supreme Court has directed the Gauhati High Court to examine the possibility of creating separate exclusive courts to entertain cases of 2023 Manipur violence under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, delivered the order while considering a cluster of petitions filed with regard to investigation and trial of cases from the violence incidents. Earlier, the trials of many cases from the violence were moved from Manipur to Assam under the jurisdiction of Gauhati High Court.
The Court directed the Registrar General of the Gauhati High Court to file a status report with regard to the above-stated feasibility before the next hearing.
The direction followed consideration of status reports showing substantial pendency in the investigation and trial process. The Court noted that a large number of witnesses were yet to be examined in CBI cases.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Bench that the CBI had been entrusted with 31 cases. Final reports had been filed in 27 cases, including 22 chargesheets and five closure reports, while four cases remained under investigation. Cognisance had been taken in 20 of the 22 chargesheeted cases.
The NIA, which was entrusted with 30 cases, had filed chargesheets in 15, while investigation was continuing in the remaining 15. Charges had been framed in seven of the chargesheeted cases. Of the 15 NIA cases, two are before a Delhi court, five before courts in Gauhati and eight in Manipur.
The Court also directed the concerned authorities to compile details, including case and Sessions trial numbers, of cases in which chargesheets have been filed. The information is to be made available so that victims, their families and legal counsel can access the relevant records and proceedings.
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover raised concerns over the non-availability of case particulars and investigation-related documents to victims and their families.
The Bench also took note of the prevailing security situation in Manipur, including incidents involving attacks on security personnel, protests and other law-and-order developments. It directed the State authorities and security agencies to extend necessary cooperation to ensure that investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), CBI and NIA continue without interruption.
The Court directed the investigating agencies and concerned authorities to file fresh status reports before the next date of hearing.
The matter was heard in Central Bureau of Investigation v. Arun Khundongbam @ Nanao, SLP (Crl) No. 5756/2026 and connected cases.
