Manipur Violence: SC sets up 42 SITs to probe cases not transferred to CBI

Manipur Violence: The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it intends to issue an order constituting 42 Special Investigation Teams (SIT) to investigate cases related to the Manipur violence that have not yet been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated that while cases have been handed to the CBI, it is seeking to direct that five officers of at least Deputy SP rank be brought into the CBI from various states.

“These officers will also be functioning within the four corners of the infrastructure and administrative structure of CBI. There will be 42 SITs looking at cases that have not been transferred to CBI”, the apex court stated.

Six DIG-level officers from outside Manipur would supervise SITs that are already investigating matters that have not been referred to the CBI.

The Supreme Court stated that it is considering appointing a committee of three former High Court judges to look into the inquiry, relief, remedial action, compensation, rehabilitation, and so on.

“The Committee of three former judges will be headed by Justice Gita Mittal, and also comprise Justice Shalini Joshi, Justice Asha Menon”, it added.

The Supreme Court further stated that an IPS officer will supervise CBI investigations.

Former Mumbai police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar will supervise the investigation.

Meanwhile, Manipur's Director General of Police (DGP), Rajiv Singh, appeared before the Supreme Court on the court's order.

Manipur had been on fire for three months after ethnic tensions erupted between two tribal communities, the Meities and the Kukis when the Manipur High Court directed the state administration to consider adding one of the communities to the list of Scheduled Tribes.

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