The Supreme Court of India on Friday (February 13, 2026) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a status report clarifying whether it has gathered sufficient evidence to “bring home the guilt” of those accused in heinous offences, including cases of sexual assault and gangrape during the sectarian violence that rocked Manipur in May 2023.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also ordered the CBI to furnish copies of the chargesheets to the victims or their families, as mandated by law.
The court further proposed that the Chief Justices of the Manipur High Court and the Gauhati High Court closely monitor the progress of the criminal trials. It emphasised that victims should be provided “quality legal aid” wherever necessary.
The apex court intensified scrutiny of the trials after senior advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing in multiple applications related to young women sexually assaulted during the conflict, raised concerns over the pace and handling of the cases.
Ms. Grover referred to the case of a young woman who died in January 2026 from an illness believed to be linked to the trauma she suffered after being gang-raped during the early phase of the ethnic violence. She submitted that the woman was among 11 cases transferred to the CBI and was told that the matters would be monitored by the apex court.
“These applications relate to young women sexually assaulted and gangraped during the violence. Theirs were among the 11 cases transferred to the CBI. It was said they would be monitored by the apex court… Now, one of the young women died in January 2026. I have been able to trace the trial court orders in her case,” Ms. Grover told the Bench.
She alleged that the victim was never informed about the progress of her case and described the handling of the matter as marked by “shocking casualness”. According to her submissions, the accused were not appearing consistently, and there were instances where CBI representatives were also absent during proceedings.
“The CBI had never informed her. The hope she may get justice may have kept her alive. Nobody ever informed her. The matter is being dealt with such casualness — the accused are not appearing, the CBI is not present… the main accused are not there…” she said, adding that the law guarantees victims the right to receive a copy of the chargesheet.
Responding to the submissions, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the State of Manipur, said that no one could oppose genuine complaints from victims and stressed that such concerns must be addressed with due sensitivity.
Chief Justice Kant described the young woman’s death as “very unfortunate” and underscored that time was of the essence in these trials.
Noting that while some cases related to the Manipur violence would be tried within the State, 27 cases had been shifted to Assam, the Chief Justice suggested coordination between Manipur High Court Chief Justice M. Sundar and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar to evolve a mechanism for day-to-day monitoring of the trials.
“This is to ensure that everyone gets justice and to strengthen rule of law,” the Chief Justice orally observed.
The court further noted that the sensitive cases transferred to Assam could be prosecuted there, and the Assam Chief Justice could consider constituting a Special Bench for effective oversight.
“Now since the matters are maturing for trial and trial requires a very close and deep monitoring and supervision, the State High Courts are in a better position to do it… If we find circumstances are getting complicated, this court could always intervene,” Chief Justice Kant said.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 26.
