Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court summoned Manipur DGP to address the delayed probe of violent incidents.
- Eleven FIRs for sexual assault against women were highlighted for possible CBI investigation.
- The Court described a complete breakdown of law and order in Manipur, citing over 6,000 FIRs with few arrests.
- A further hearing is scheduled for August 7 to determine next steps in the investigation.
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned Manipur DGP and sought his personal presence on next Monday to understand why “tardy” probe was carried out in cases of heinous nature.
A bench of the Apex Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud asked the DGP, Manipur to submit a tabulated data of FIRs based on nature of offences.
“We will decide future course of action on that day,” the SC said.
Solictor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, senior law officer for Union of India, said there were 11 FIRs on sexual assault against women during ethinic strife in Manipur and all 11 FIRs can be entrusted to CBI for probe.
Earlier, The Centre had ordered CBI probe into incident of stripping and parading naked of two sexually assaulted women.
The SC after looking at the status report said – “From May till July end there was an absolute break down of constitutional machinery… a complete breakdown of law and order machinery…”
“There is no law and order left at all in Manipur; State police incapable of investigation,” the Top Court observed.
The Court made the observation after taking note of the fact that there have been very few arrests made despite registration of over 6,000 First Information Reports (FIRs).
The bench also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, beaides the CJI, said that the State Police is incapable of investigating the crimes happening across the State including sexual offences against women.
“The investigation is so lethargic. No arrests made. Statements being recorded after such lapse of time. This gives an impression that there was no law and breakdown of constitutional machinery. May be it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the locality.. but even then there was complete breakdown of law and order,” the CJI further said.
Now the Top court will take up the matter for further hearing on August 7, Monday.
