The Supreme Court, on February 4, granted the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to relieve Datla Sreenivasa Varma from his role as the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was formed to probe the extra-judicial killings in Manipur.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan was hearing the matter related to alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur by security forces. The CBI had filed an application seeking to relieve Varma, who serves as the Joint Director and Head of Zone (NE Zone), from his role in leading the SIT.
The bench accepted this request and allowed his release from the position.
"The investigation must be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner, and if necessary, changes in leadership should be made to ensure justice," the court emphasized during the hearing.
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In the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati represented the CBI, while Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy acted as the amicus curiae in the matter.
The Supreme Court has been actively monitoring the investigation into alleged extra-judicial killings in Manipur for several years.
- In 2017, the Court directed the CBI to form an SIT to investigate these killings. This decision was taken by a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta.
- In 2018, another bench with Justices M.B. Lokur and U.U. Lalit criticized the delay in the investigation and directed the Director of the CBI to appear before the Court to provide an explanation.
- In 2022, the Union of India was instructed by the Supreme Court to file a status report regarding the investigation.
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Case Background
The investigation into extra-judicial killings in Manipur began after a writ petition was filed under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution by the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association and The Human Rights Alert.
The petitioners presented evidence of 1,528 alleged extra-judicial executions carried out by Manipur Police and security forces. They alleged that most of these deaths were cold-blooded murders, often occurring in custody after severe torture.
"Even while dealing with the enemy, the rule of law must be upheld,"
the Supreme Court observed, emphasizing that security personnel cannot justify excessive use of force beyond their official duty.
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In 2016, a bench led by Justice Madan Lokur and Justice UU Lalit ruled that any excessive force used by security personnel leading to a person's death must be thoroughly investigated.
The Court made it clear that if any personnel from the Manipur Police or Armed Forces engaged in acts not reasonably connected to their official duty, they would be held accountable for their actions.
"No authority, including the armed forces, is above the law. If any member is involved in unlawful killings, they must face legal action," the court stated firmly.
Case Details: Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors. W.P.(Crl.) No. 000129 / 2012
