The Supreme Court today pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for displaying a lackadaisical attitude in dealing with the Manipur fake encounter cases..The PIL seeking probe into 1,528 cases of “extra-judicial killings” in Manipur was heard by a Bench of Justices Madan Lokur and UU Lalit..As the hearing commenced the Bench was apprised by the CBI that it has registered forty-two First Information Reports (FIRs) in the fake encounter cases all of which have been uploaded on the website..Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves countered the argument of CBI and submitted that the CBI has done nothing but has just re-registered and re-numbered the FIRs. He also submitted that out of the forty-two cases forty FIRs are filed against the deceased victims..“This is their progress in eight months.”.This prompted the Bench to question ASG Maninder Singh on whether the statement made by Gonsalves was correct or not..Bench – Is it correct?.Singh – It is the same….(unclear).Bench – Mr. Solicitor I am sorry to say but there is something terribly wrong. You’re still showing the victims as the accused..Gonsalves also submitted that “there is a terrific resistance to register FIR.”.As the hearing progressed further the Bench fired an array of questions to a CBI officer present in court..Bench – Out of 42 cases have you been able to identify any person?.CBI – Yes.Bench – Have you solicited or demanded the people for interrogation?.CBI – We need more evidence..Bench – But you have identified them!.The answers given by the CBI failed to cast any positive impression upon the Bench..The Bench then asked the counsel for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to get associated with the SIT. It also observed that “things are getting out of control.”.Advocate appearing for NHRC contended that the conduct of the agency amounts to contempt..“At least they must file counter FIR. They are not doing anything. If this is not contempt then what is”.The Bench also asked Singh if they had lodged any counter FIRs in the case or not. The justification given by Singh failed to satisfy the Bench, which observed,.“Your explanation is just not satisfactory”.Singh raised his voice and proceeded to give further explanation which prompted the Bench to retort by saying,.“By raising your voice, you are not going to take us anywhere. You have to proceed in accordance with the judgment.”.The Bench then directed the NHRC to depute three of its members to associate with the SIT to carry out the investigation in 17 out of the 42 cases and assist the SIT in filing charge sheet against the accused..The Bench also clarified that the association of the NHRC is only for the time being with respect to the 17 cases..The matter will now be heard on March 12.
The Supreme Court today pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for displaying a lackadaisical attitude in dealing with the Manipur fake encounter cases..The PIL seeking probe into 1,528 cases of “extra-judicial killings” in Manipur was heard by a Bench of Justices Madan Lokur and UU Lalit..As the hearing commenced the Bench was apprised by the CBI that it has registered forty-two First Information Reports (FIRs) in the fake encounter cases all of which have been uploaded on the website..Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves countered the argument of CBI and submitted that the CBI has done nothing but has just re-registered and re-numbered the FIRs. He also submitted that out of the forty-two cases forty FIRs are filed against the deceased victims..“This is their progress in eight months.”.This prompted the Bench to question ASG Maninder Singh on whether the statement made by Gonsalves was correct or not..Bench – Is it correct?.Singh – It is the same….(unclear).Bench – Mr. Solicitor I am sorry to say but there is something terribly wrong. You’re still showing the victims as the accused..Gonsalves also submitted that “there is a terrific resistance to register FIR.”.As the hearing progressed further the Bench fired an array of questions to a CBI officer present in court..Bench – Out of 42 cases have you been able to identify any person?.CBI – Yes.Bench – Have you solicited or demanded the people for interrogation?.CBI – We need more evidence..Bench – But you have identified them!.The answers given by the CBI failed to cast any positive impression upon the Bench..The Bench then asked the counsel for National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to get associated with the SIT. It also observed that “things are getting out of control.”.Advocate appearing for NHRC contended that the conduct of the agency amounts to contempt..“At least they must file counter FIR. They are not doing anything. If this is not contempt then what is”.The Bench also asked Singh if they had lodged any counter FIRs in the case or not. The justification given by Singh failed to satisfy the Bench, which observed,.“Your explanation is just not satisfactory”.Singh raised his voice and proceeded to give further explanation which prompted the Bench to retort by saying,.“By raising your voice, you are not going to take us anywhere. You have to proceed in accordance with the judgment.”.The Bench then directed the NHRC to depute three of its members to associate with the SIT to carry out the investigation in 17 out of the 42 cases and assist the SIT in filing charge sheet against the accused..The Bench also clarified that the association of the NHRC is only for the time being with respect to the 17 cases..The matter will now be heard on March 12.
