SC pulls up MoD over Manipur ‘ fake’ killings

New Delhi, May 19: The Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure that the ministry of defence has “not even bothered” to respond to the letters addressed to it by the CBI’s special investigation team ( SIT) that is probing the alleged extra- judicial killings and fake encounters by the Army, Assam Rifles and police in Manipur.

A Bench comprising Justices Madan B. Lokur and U. U. Lalit asked the SIT to conclude by June 30 its investigations in the cases related to the National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC), judicial inquiries and those on which the Gauhati high court had given its findings.

Additional solicitorgeneral ( ASG) Maninder Singh, appearing for the CBI, told the bench that he would take up the matter with the ministry of defence to ensure necessary cooperation.

“We have also seen from status report no. Five ( filed by the SIT) that letters have been addressed by the SIT to the ministry of defence in some cases as far back as in February, 2018 but the ministry of defence has not even bothered to respond to those letters,” the bench noted in its order.

“The ASG says he will take it up with the ministry of defence and ensure that necessary cooperation is extended and letters will be responded with promptitude. We expect the ministry of defence to fully cooperate with the SIT,” the court said. The Bench listed the matter for next hearing on July 2.