SC orders CBI probe into over 250 cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur

New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered a CBI into over 250 cases of extra-judicial killings allegedly by Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in the insurgency-hit state.

The apex court a bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur asked the CBI Director to constitute a team within two weeks to investigate the encounters.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will submit report in the apex court in January 2018.

In April this year, the Army had told the apex court that judicial probes conducted into rape and murder charges against its personnel in Manipur were “biased” and slanted against them due to local factors.

In July last year, the apex court had directed a thorough probe into the alleged fake encounter killings in Manipur saying the use of “excessive or retaliatory force” by the armed forces or police was not permissible in ‘disturbed areas’ under the controversial Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA).