Manipur violence: SC seeks verification of 24,000 families awaiting relief, pushes for exclusive CBI-NIA Courts

The Supreme Court on Monday asked an apex court-appointed committee to verify claims that around 24,000 families affected by the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur are yet to receive benefits under government rehabilitation and welfare schemes.

The court also asked the Manipur and Assam governments and other authorities to consider setting up two separate special trial courts to exclusively hear cases arising from the violence investigated by the CBI and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing matters concerning the rehabilitation of people who lost their homes and sources of livelihood during the violence, as well as the status of investigations into cases arising from the conflict.

Taking note of submissions that several affected families, particularly tribals, were yet to receive rehabilitation and welfare benefits, the bench directed the three-member committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal to verify the particulars of the alleged 24,000 affected families.

"If that is so, we request the committee to verify and confirm the particulars of the alleged affected families and forward a note regarding implementation of the Government welfare schemes duly noticed by this Court in its order dated May 27, 2026," Chief Justice Surya Kant said.

The court noted that the government had disbursed funds to more than 4,000 beneficiaries out of around 7,000 identified beneficiaries for reconstruction of houses. Under the rehabilitation scheme, Rs 5 lakh is provided for a kutcha house and Rs 7 lakh for a semi-pucca or pucca house.

More than 12,000 houses have also been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for families affected by the violence, the bench noted. Temporary shelters have been constructed, while Rs 51.95 crore has been released for 885 identified beneficiaries for permanent houses.

The court further noted that Rs 1 lakh per household had been provided to families whose houses were completely damaged.

The Justice Gita Mittal-led committee was also directed to examine claims concerning properties belonging to affected families. The committee will verify the status of the properties on the basis of relevant material and land records and submit a report to the court.

On damages to places of worship, the bench took note of a list of 276 properties submitted before it for verification. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves also referred to a separate list of 20 churches where encroachment was allegedly carried out.

The court directed authorities to ensure that there is no further encroachment on properties found to be covered by the claims.

On the status of investigations, the Supreme Court asked the authorities to consider establishing two exclusive special courts — one for CBI cases and another for NIA cases — arising from the Manipur violence.

"The authorities shall consider setting up two separate exclusive courts, one for dealing with the CBI cases and another for dealing with the NIA cases arising out of the Manipur violence," the bench ordered.

The registrar general of the high court concerned was directed to submit a status report on the proposal before the next hearing.

The bench also directed authorities to compile details of cases in which chargesheets have been filed, including case numbers and the status of proceedings, so that victims, their families and legal counsel can access the relevant reports and records.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the CBI has investigated 31 cases, with final reports filed in 27, including 22 chargesheets and five closure reports. Four cases remain under investigation.

Of the 22 CBI cases in which chargesheets have been filed, cognisance has been taken in 20, while it is pending in two. Only one case is triable by a magistrate, with the remaining matters being Sessions trials. All CBI cases have been transferred to Gauhati, Bhati said.

The NIA, which was entrusted with 30 cases, has filed chargesheets in 15, while investigations are continuing in the remaining 15. Charges have been framed in seven of the 15 chargesheeted cases.

Of these 15 NIA cases, two are before a Delhi court, five before courts in Gauhati and eight in Manipur, the law officer said.

Senior advocate Vrinda Grover raised concerns over the availability of status reports and chargesheets, saying victims and their families had not received documents despite earlier directions.

The court also took note of the security situation in Manipur, including attacks on Assam Rifles and protests seeking the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the census. It said joint action by the Manipur Police and security forces had strengthened efforts to recover arms and ammunition and make arrests.

The court directed the authorities to facilitate uninterrupted investigations by the CBI and NIA and ensure coordination among the state, central and security agencies. It also stressed the need to maintain security and ensure the safety of students.

Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, following a Tribal Solidarity March in the hill districts to protest against a demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the majority Meitei community. More than 200 people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since the violence began.