SC seeks explanations from CBI for delay in investigating cases of Manipur fake encounters

The Supreme Court (SC) has sought explanation from CBI's Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the delay in probing the cases of alleged extra-judicial killings and fake encounters by the Army, Assam Rifles and the police in Manipur.

During the hearing, a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Uday U Lalit has expressed dissatisfaction over the CBI's progress made so far and has summoned the CBI Director to appear before it at 2 pm on Monday.

The bench in its order said, "We are not satisfied with the pace of the probe. We want to know from the CBI director about the timeline and also about the manner of the probe".

The court stated that it wants the CBI chief to explain in person the issues in complying with the orders and also the long in-house process of the agency to approve final reports.

ASG Maninder Singh, appearing for CBI informed the bench that there was no intentional delay on the part of the investigating agency and that the process of evaluating the chargesheet and approval took more time as 10 officers have to have a look at it before approving it.

The court is hearing a PIL seeking a probe into over 1,500 cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur and had constituted the SIT in July last year. It had ordered lodging of FIRs and probe into the cases.

Earlier this month, SC had directed the SIT to file final reports in four cases by July 27, saying violation of human rights cannot be tolerated.