The Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) and the Human Rights Alert (HRA) have welcomed the Supreme Court order in the fake encounter cases on October 20.
The SC requested the Manipur High Court to dispose of the pending sanction issue to prosecute security personnel involved in extrajudicial killing cases as early as possible, preferably within six months from the receipt of the order. To this end, EEVFAM has submitted a copy of the judgment to the HC Chief Justice on October 21, HRA executive director Babloo Loitongbam told mediapersons at Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai, Imphal West Saturday.
Also Read: Extrajudicial Killings: Supreme Court tells Manipur High Court to dispose of pending sanction issues
On the behest of the SC, the SIT, CBI registered 39 FIRs, Babloo said, adding that on completion of the investigation, 37 final reports have been submitted to the relevant judicial magistrates. In cases where the alleged perpetrators are police personnel, the trials have proceeded, he said.
However, in cases where the perpetrators identified are personnel of the armed forces of the union, the Union Home Ministry has denied prosecution sanctions under section 6 of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in each and every case, Babloo said.
It has prompted the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West, to refer the matter to the HC of Manipur vide order dated February 22, 2021 and the case is before the Manipur High Court, he added.
Babloo said that the hearing by Chief Justice UU Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi in the Supreme Court on October 20 also observed that it is possible that material which can enable the court to pass appropriate direction for carrying out investigation may have come on record subsequent to the passing of the first judgment.
In the next hearing, fixed on November 15, 2022, the question of ‘Whether certain additional cases must also be inquired into and the investigation by the authorities will be deliberated’, Babloo informed.
In preparation of the possibility of investigation of more cases, EEVFAM would like to solicit information from the families of the extrajudicial execution, Babloo said.
EEVFAM, therefore, requests the families to share their information and documents, if they wish their cases to be included in the forthcoming submission to the Supreme Court, he added.
Babloo further informed that the family members may visit the office of HRA, Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai from 11 am to 3 pm from October 23 to November 5 or contact the office phone number 385-356-0076 or the mobile number 977426988 or 8729812323.
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Manipur High Court directs CBI to probe into 2004 fake encounter case
Centre blocking justice in fake encounter cases: EEVFAM
Extra Judicial Killings in Manipur: SC directs Centre to submit status report of investigation
