Supreme Court Criticizes Manipur Police for Collapse of Law and Order
The Supreme Court has strongly condemned the Centre and Manipur governments over the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur. The apex court accused the state police of being incapable of investigation and stated that there is no law and order left in the northeastern state.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud expressed concern over the delayed registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and the failure to record statements of victims by the Manipur Police. The court remarked that the investigation process was lethargic and criticized the breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the state.
The Supreme Court summoned Manipur’s Director General of Police to appear before the court on August 7. The court also raised questions about the failure to interrogate police officials involved in handing over the victims, as seen in a viral video, to the mob. The court expressed its dismay, asking what would happen to the people if the law and order machinery failed to protect them.
In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that normalcy was returning to the state and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had initiated investigations into the FIRs registered. However, the CBI stated that it could not handle the investigation of over 6,000 FIRs and emphasized the need for a mechanism to address the large number of cases.
The court directed the state police to identify FIRs related to severe offenses such as murder, rape, arson, looting, outraging the modesty of women, destruction of places of religious worship, and grievous hurt. It also requested case-wise details, including the dates of the incidents, registration of FIRs, recording of witness statements, and arrests made. Additionally, the court asked the Union government to provide information on compensation for rehabilitation purposes.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court initially asked the CBI to refrain from recording statements of the survivors who were subjected to nudity and sexual assault. However, after the hearing, the court permitted the CBI to proceed with recording the victims’ statements.
The bench, consisting of Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, addressed the petition filed by two tribal women regarding the disturbing incident, along with other pleas related to inter-ethnic clashes in Manipur.
The Supreme Court suggested the formation of a committee comprising retired judges and subject experts to record the statements of the victims in the violence-hit state. It also requested a breakdown of the approximately 6,000 FIRs, along with details such as zero FIRs, actions taken, legal aid, and the status of recording statements from both victims and witnesses.
The court clarified that the extent of its intervention would depend on the actions taken by the government so far, indicating that intervention may not be necessary if they are satisfied with the government’s efforts. Attorney General R Venkataramani disagreed with the formation of an SIT, arguing that excluding the state government from the investigation would be an extreme view.
