1 hr ago
Supreme Court Orders Swift Testimony in Manipur Sexual Violence Case
The Supreme Court is overseeing a case about sexual violence in Manipur.
It told the CBI and the trial court to make sure two witnesses come to court and give their statements.
The court named October 7, 9 and 28 as the dates for this.
The CBI said the witnesses might be afraid to speak while the accused are out on bail.
A lawyer for an accused said the trial had not moved quickly enough.
The court said keeping witnesses safe is the authorities’ responsibility.
It said the question of bail could be considered after the witnesses have testified.
The case is part of wider court proceedings related to violence in Manipur.
The Supreme Court directed the CBI and trial court to ensure two victim-witnesses appear and testify.
The witnesses are to be produced and their statements recorded on October 7, 9 and 28.
The CBI said the accused being on bail could affect witnesses’ willingness to testify; the defence argued the trial was not moving fast enough.
The court said authorities must protect witnesses and indicated it would consider the bail issue after the witnesses are examined.
The case is among proceedings connected to Manipur’s 2023 ethnic violence, which has caused deaths, injuries and displacement.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the CBI, the trial court, and two victim-witnesses.
- What
- The court ordered steps to ensure the two witnesses appear and have their statements recorded, and called for the trial to proceed expeditiously.
- Where
- At the Supreme Court hearing in New Delhi, concerning a trial in Manipur.
- When
- The directions were issued on Monday; witness dates specified in the order are October 7, 9 and 28.
- Why
- To secure the witnesses’ examination and advance the trial; the CBI said the accused being on bail could affect willingness to testify.
CBI and prosecution concerns
Defence and court considerations
Effect of bail on testimony
CBI and prosecution concerns
The CBI argued that the accused being released on bail could make witnesses less willing to testify.
Defence and court considerations
The court stressed that witness safety is the authorities’ responsibility and said it could consider whether bail conditions were abused.
Pace of the trial
CBI and prosecution concerns
The CBI said the trial had begun and sought the witnesses’ examination as it pursued cancellation of bail.
Defence and court considerations
A lawyer for an accused said the CBI had not conducted the trial at the required pace and noted there were around 30 witnesses.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
- Agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Witnesses
- Two victim-witnesses
- Scheduled dates
- October 7, 9 and 28
- Bail matter
- The CBI is seeking cancellation of bail granted to two accused
- Trial witnesses
- The defence said there were around 30 witnesses
- Context
- The case is part of proceedings related to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur
Quotes
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and member of the Supreme Court bench
“The victims were sexually assaulted in the worst possible manner... thereafter paraded and video-recorded”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
“if the accused are out, nobody will depose”
deccanchronicle.com
thehansindia.com
Sources
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