Centre offers to move all FIRs concerning women in Manipur to CBI

Central government during the hearing on Manipur sexual harassment case on Tuesday has offered to transfer all 11 FIRs related to women’s crime in Manipur to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Central and Manipur government said that all officers in all police stations have been directed to be sensitive to sexual violence reported by women and children.

Reacting to this, the top court said, “We are not in a situation where the state police carry out the investigation. So, we will need a mechanism. We are clear about the fact that entrusting the CBI with the investigation of 6,500 FIRs is impossible. At the same time, state police can’t be entrusted.”

Apart from this, Supreme Court said it may consider constituting a committee of former judges to decide on remit to supervise work of government, compensation, restoration of work, investigation is done freeway, and recording of statements. Supreme Court also directed the Solicitor General to take instructions on who will investigate.

In addition to this, Supreme Court has also directed the government to prepare a statement setting out the date of occurrence, date of registration of zero FIR, date of registration of regular FIR, date on which witness statements have been recorded, date on which statements under section 164 CrPC have been recorded, and date of arrests made.

The court admitted that there has been a considerable lapse in the occurrence of cases and registration of FIRs and on the request of the Solicitor General to keep the matter on August 7, SC has asked the DGP of Manipur to remain present before the top court on Friday at 2 pm and be in a position to answer the court.