NEW DELHI | The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over delays in the trial proceedings related to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur and directed authorities to expedite the legal process while seeking a detailed status report on the progress of the cases.

A bench comprising B R Gavai and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging the bail granted by the Gauhati High Court to two accused – Arun Khundongbam and Nameirakpam Kiran Meitei – in a case involving allegations of gang rape and public humiliation of women during the violence.

Observing that the matter required urgent attention, the apex court said the ongoing trials must move at a faster pace. The bench also directed the CBI and other authorities to ensure that victims are provided with competent legal aid counsel familiar with the situation in Manipur.

“We have said that the ongoing trial needs to be expedited. We have asked the CBI and others to provide legal aid counsel who are well-versed in Manipur to counsel the victims,” the bench observed.

The court clarified that providing legal assistance to victims’ families would not interfere with the ongoing judicial proceedings.

During the hearing, the bench referred to a CBI report stating that 20 chargesheets had been filed so far, with trials already underway in 16 cases. A separate status report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) stated that chargesheets had been filed in 207 cases involving more than 400 accused persons.

The Supreme Court also took note of a report submitted by former IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar, which described the law and order situation in Manipur as “precarious” on April 7 and April 18 this year. The report cited continuing incidents of violence and pressure on the state police machinery.

Emphasising the importance of restoring public trust, the bench said confidence-building measures must continue to ensure that victims retain faith in the justice delivery system.

The hearing came in connection with a September 8, 2025 order of the Gauhati High Court granting bail to the two accused on the grounds that they had remained in custody for nearly two years without charges being framed, describing the prolonged incarceration as “unjustified”.

The CBI has sought cancellation of the bail, arguing that the allegations are grave and warrant continued judicial scrutiny.

Ethnic violence first erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, following a “Tribal Solidarity March” organised in the hill districts against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The unrest left more than 260 people dead and displaced thousands across the state.

The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the violence in July 2023 after a video showing women being paraded naked surfaced online, triggering nationwide outrage.

Earlier this year, the apex court directed state legal services authorities to appoint legal aid counsel for victims. In August 2023, the Centre also constituted the Justice Gita Mittal Commission to oversee relief and rehabilitation measures for victims and examine the government’s response to the crisis.