Indian Supreme Court appoints officer to monitor CBI investigation

The Supreme Court on Monday (July 7) said that it will pass a slew of directions in relation to the Manipur violence cases to "restore a sense of faith in the rule of law and build a sense of confidence".

The Supreme Court on Monday (July 7) said that it will pass a slew of directions in relation to the Manipur violence cases to "restore a sense of faith in the rule of law and build a sense of confidence".

The Court said that it will constitute a committee of three former female High Court judges to "look at diverse aspects on humanitarian nature". It will be a broad based committee looking at things including relief, remedial measures, rehabilitation measures, restoration of homes and places of worship.

This Committee will be headed by Justice Gita Mittal (former Chief Justice of J&K High Court), and will consist of Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi( former Bombay HC judge) and Justice Asha Menon(former Delhi HC judge).

As regards investigation, the Court noted that the Centre has decided to entrust 11 FIRs relating to sexual violence to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Court said that it will allow the transfer of these cases to the CBI.

However, it will also include 5 officers from the rank of at least DySP if not SP drawn from other States "to ensure that there is a sense of faith and an overall feeling of objectivety". The Court clarified that these officers will be functioning within the administrative set up of the CBI.

Further, the Court said that it will add "one more layer of security" by appointing one officer to oversee the CBI investigation, who will be reporting back to the Court.

Mr.Dattatray Padsalgikar IPS, former Maharashtra DGP and Mumbai Police Commissioner, was identified by the Court as the overseeing officer.

As regards the State police investigation, the Court noted the statement of the State that it will constitute 42 SITs to look after cases which are not transferred to the CBI.

For these SITs, the Court said that it will order to include at least one inspector from other State Police forces. Further, the State SITs will be supervised by 6 DIG rank officers who are from outside State of Manipur.