File photo of Supreme Court of India in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU The Supreme Court on Friday (February 13, 2026) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report detailing whether the agency has compiled sufficient evidence to “bring home the guilt” to persons accused of various heinous offences, including the sexual assault and gangrape of women during the sectarian violence that rocked Manipur in May 2023. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the CBI must share copies of the chargesheets of the cases with the victims or their families as dictated by the law. The top court proposed entrusting the Chief Justices of Manipur and Gauhati High Courts to monitor the progress in the criminal trials closely. The Bench said the victims should be provided “quality legal aid” if required. The court upped the ante on the trials linked to the Manipur violence after advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing in multiple applications related to young women sexually assaulted during the conflict, brought it up. Ms. Grover highlighted the case of a young woman who died in January 2026 from illness believed to be linked to the trauma she underwent after being gang-raped during the early days of the ethnic violence. “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,” the senior lawyer submitted. Ms. Grover said the young woman was never informed about the progress of her case by the CBI. She said there was an air of “shocking casualness” about the way in which the case was being carried out. “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…” Ms. Grover submitted. The senior lawyer said the law mandates the right of the victims to the chargesheet. “But we are in the dark… The casualness is very, very shocking,” she submitted. Sensitivity needed: Solicitor General On Ms. Grover’s submissions, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the State of Manipur, reacted that “no one could oppose any complaints from the side of the victims”. “Any complaint must be attended to with the sensitivity it deserves,” Mr. Mehta said. Also read: Manipur ethnic violence | In an armed conflict, the war on women “But that has not happened. With the CBI, that has not happened… Even in 11 cases, they are not keeping anyone informed. No one knows what’s happening. How do I know whether my daughter’s case is taking place or not?” Ms. Grover asked. The Chief Justice underscored that time was of essence in these trials. “That time has been lost,” Ms. Grover conveyed the victims’ disappointment. The Chief Justice said the fact that the young woman had passed away was “very unfortunate”. Noting that some of the Manipur violence cases would go to trial in the State while others, numbering 27, had been shifted to neighbouring Assam, Chief Justice Kant suggested that the top court could request Manipur Chief Justice M. Sundar, who was recently appointed upon transfer from the Madras High Court, and Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar to coordinate and evolve a mechanism to keep a close day-to-day watch on the trials. Also read: What led to President’s rule in the strife-hit Manipur? The story so far “This is to ensure that everyone gets justice and to strengthen rule of law,” the CJI orally observed. Further, the top court observed that the sensitive and heinous cases of Manipur violence shifted to Assam could be prosecuted there. The Assam Chief Justice could monitor the trial by even constituting a Special Bench. “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 court scheduled the case next on February 26. Published – February 13, 2026 05:12 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... 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