New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned Manipur DGP and sought his personal presence next Monday to understand why a “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 tabulated data of FIRs based on the nature of offences. “We will decide the 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 an ethnic strife in Manipur. All 11 FIRs can be entrusted to CBI for probe.
Earlier, the Centre had ordered a CBI probe into the 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 breakdown 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 noting that there have been very few arrests made despite the registration of over 6,000 First Information Reports (FIRs).
The bench also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, besides 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 were made. Statements being recorded after such lapse of time. This gives the impression that there was no law and a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Maybe it is correct that arrest could not be made because police could not enter the locality.. but even then there was a 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.
