SC Not Satisfied With CBI SIT’s Probe Into Manipur Fake Encounters

SC also expressed displeasure that the status report filed by the SIT did not have the approval of CBI’s Director.

SC not satisfied with CBI SIT’s probe into Manipur encounters allegedly by the Army, Assam Rifles and Police.

(Photo: iStockphoto)

The Supreme Court on Monday, 12 February, said that it was "not satisfied" with the progress made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s special investigation team (SIT) in the probe into alleged extra-judicial killings and fake encounters by the Army, Assam Rifles and the police in Manipur.

The apex court made the remarks after the SIT apprised it that 42 cases have so far been registered on such killings.

A bench comprising Justices MB Lokur and UU Lalit also directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to depute three persons to associate with the SIT to carry out investigation in 17 out of the 42 cases.

We are not satisfied by the progress made by the SIT. We make it clear that the association of the NHRC is for the time being in respect of these 17 cases.

Supreme Court bench

The bench also expressed its displeasure that the status report filed by the SIT did not appear to have the approval of the CBI's Director.

The top court made it clear that the next status report of the SIT must come after the prior approval of the CBI Chief.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on 12 March.

On 16 January the apex court had pulled up the CBI's SIT for not registering the required number of FIRs as directed by it earlier.

The apex court is hearing a PIL seeking probe into as many as 1,528 cases of extra-judicial killings and fake encounters in Manipur.

The court had on 14 July last year constituted the SIT comprising five CBI officers and ordered registration of FIRs and probe into the alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur.