The Supreme Court directed the CBI to produce the third victim before a Guwahati special court. Her testimony could shape pending bail decisions in the closely monitored Manipur violence case.Stock photo used for illustrationNewdelhi,Nov 3, 2026 19:34 ISTThe Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to produce the third victim in the 2023 Manipur sexual violence case and ensure that her testimony is recorded by a special trial court in Guwahati, the Press Trust of India reported.The case relates to the alleged stripping and public parading of three Kuki-Zo women by a mob during the ethnic violence in Manipur on May 4, 2023.
Two of the women were allegedly gang-raped, while the father and brother of one victim were allegedly killed.A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana recorded that the case involved three victims besides the complainant. One victim had already been cross-examined, while the testimony of the second was being recorded.The bench directed the CBI to ensure that the third victim records her testimony before the trial court on November 13, 16, 16 and 19, the dates fixed by the special judge.
It posted the matter for hearing after November 19. Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare, appearing for the CBI, told the bench that the trial was proceeding in line with the court's directions, according to PTI.Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing accused Yumlembam Jiban Singh, said the trial had been delayed for one reason or another despite the court's directions.
Singh has sought bail. On October 5, the Supreme Court directed the CBI and the trial court to ensure the appearance and examination of two key victim-witnesses in the case.The court was hearing two separate petitions filed by the CBI seeking the cancellation of bail granted to two accused, as well as a plea by a third accused who had been denied bail.The CBI had earlier argued that releasing the accused on bail could affect the willingness of witnesses to testify. "The victims were sexually assaulted in the worst possible manner... thereafter paraded and video-recorded," the agency had said, adding that the trial had already begun.The Supreme Court had indicated that it would be better to consider the bail issue after the two witnesses had been examined.
It directed the CBI to produce the two victim-witnesses before the trial court on October 7, 9 and 28 and ensure that their statements were recorded on those dates.The trial court was also directed to comply with the order, while all parties were asked to cooperate fully.The proceedings are part of the Supreme Court's continuing monitoring of cases arising from the Manipur violence. On September 17, the bench expressed shock over scores of deaths in relief camps for internally displaced people.It directed the Manipur chief secretary to inform the court about the steps taken to investigate the deaths, initiate criminal proceedings and ensure the safety of people living in the camps.The Supreme Court also asked the Manipur and Assam governments and other parties to consider setting up two special trial courts exclusively for cases being investigated by the CBI and the National Investigation Agency in connection with the 2023 ethnic violence.The violence began on May 3, 2023, after a tribal solidarity march was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Hundreds of people have been killed, several hundred injured and thousands displaced since the unrest began. The Supreme Court continues to monitor related cases, including the sexual violence case in which it has now directed the CBI to ensure the recording of the third victim's testimony.- Ends