Supreme Court Demands Swift Action on Manipur Violence Cases

The Supreme Court of India has urged a quicker resolution to the trials related to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur, requesting a status report on the cases. The violence, which began after a protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status, resulted in over 260 deaths and widespread displacement.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant pressed for the adjudication to progress promptly, underscoring the necessity of providing Manipuri-speaking legal aid for the affected families. They noted that while the special investigation team has filed chargesheets against more than 400 accused, only 207 cases have seen charges filed.

The apex court heard an appeal from the CBI against bail granted by the Gauhati High Court to two accused, alleged to have committed gang-rape, stressing the critical nature of reviewing the ongoing trial for fairness. The court reminded authorities of the significant impact this case has on public confidence and called for faith in justice through confidence-building with the victims.

With the backdrop of the Gauhati High Court's controversial bail decision and regional unease, the Supreme Court emphasized the urgent need for rehabilitation efforts. The CBI had previously objected to the bail, given the seriousness of the charges. Chief Justice Surya Kant highlighted that previous delays should not overshadow the need for accountability and justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)