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India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Eight months on, no chargesheet: Court tightens grip on NIA over Jiribam massacre
The Manipur High Court has granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) a final extension of one month to file a chargesheet in the high-profile Jiribam killing case, in which six individuals — including three minors — were allegedly abducted and murdered in November 2024. The court warned that any further delay would be taken order was passed during the hearing of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No 18 of 2024, clubbed with Miscellaneous Case (PIL) No 28 of 2025, filed by Soram Tikendrajit and another petitioner, seeking court-monitored progress in the investigation of the killings. The case has drawn widespread public and media attention due to its brutal nature and the lack of closure nearly eight months after the the hearing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Kempaiah Somashekar and Justice Ahantham Bimol Singh noted the "grave and shocking" nature of the case. The NIA submitted two sealed cover reports outlining the current status of the investigation, which the court ordered to be placed in the safe custody of the Registrar General until further orders. Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Kh Tarunkumar informed the court that the incident occurred on November 11, 2024, when six individuals, including three children, were reportedly abducted under suspicious circumstances. In the days following the incident, all six bodies were recovered one by one from the Barak River in Jiribam district, triggering public outrage and demands for further highlighted that although an FIR had been registered and the case was later handed over to the NIA, no chargesheet had been filed to date, raising serious questions about the pace and intent of the investigation. Tarunkumar urged the court to ensure time-bound accountability, citing the trauma faced by the victims' families and the continued unrest in the affected NIA, represented by Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) Kh. Samarjit, assured the court that the investigation had reached its final phase and that the agency was preparing to file the chargesheet under relevant sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act, in court were several senior NIA officials — DIGP D. Sharavan, SP Ashish Kumar, Public Prosecutor Lokesh Kumar, and DSP Vikas Kumar. Advocate General Lenin appeared for the Government of Samarjit requested more time on behalf of the NIA to finalise its findings and submit the chargesheet. Granting the request, the bench fixed the next date of hearing for August 25, and cautioned that failure to show progress by then would attract judicial scrutiny. The personal appearance of NIA officials was waived for the next hearing, unless otherwise Jiribam killings remain one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent times in Manipur, highlighting concerns over law and order and the effectiveness of investigative processes. Civil society groups, including child rights organisations and human rights defenders, have repeatedly demanded transparency and swift justice for the victims.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
NIA submits reports on Jiribam killings, Manipur HC gives one month to file chargesheet
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted two sealed reports to the Manipur High Court on the progress it has made in the Jiribam case in which six women and children of the Meitei community were abducted and later found dead in the Barak River in November last year. Taking it on record, the court told the probe agency to submit a detailed report in terms of the chargesheet within one month. This comes after a Bench of Chief Justice K. Somashekar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh had, earlier this month, said that it had been a considerable time since the incident and yet no chargesheet had been filed in the case. It had then directed the NIA to submit a detailed report on the investigation before it. In the hearing on July 24, the NIA submitted the detailed progress reports related to the case in two sealed covers, the High Court's order said. It added that considering the 'peculiar facts and circumstances' of the case and submissions made by the NIA and the State's Advocate General, the reports will remain in the custody of the Registrar for 'safe custody' until further orders. However, the court did not specify in the order what circumstances it was referring to beyond noting the 'concern' expressed by the Deputy Solicitor General of India (DGSI) representing the NIA and the Advocate General of the State. The High Court noted, 'It is made clear that if there is no progress made, the matter would be viewed seriously.' The court noted that the DSGI had submitted that the NIA was 'in the process of completion of the investigation and filing of charge sheet against the culprits/accused'. The court also said it was taking on record the submissions of the petitioners, who said that after the filing of FIR, no action seemed to have been taken. The court said it will take up the case for next hearing on August 25. The developments follow a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) the Manipur High Court has been hearing over the case in Jiribam. The PIL was filed by office-bearers of the civil society organisation Uripok Apunba Lup, a conglomerate of dozens of local clubs in the Uripok area. They sought detailed progress reports, and speedy and fair probe into the incident. After the November flare-up in the ethnic conflict in Manipur's Jiribam district, the NIA had taken up two other cases for investigation apart from the abduction and killing of the six women and children from the Meitei community. One was for the alleged rape and burning alive of a Kuki-Zo woman in Jiribam on November 7, and the alleged attack on a CRPF post in Jiribam's Borobekra on November 11, in which 10 armed persons were gunned down.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Highways dept appeals Madras HC order to demolish two pillars of Avinashi road elevated flyover project
COIMBATORE: The Madras High Court ordered the Special Projects wing of the State Highways department officials (Coimbatore division) to demolish two pillars built for the ramps of the Avinashi Road elevated flyover project. The move comes after a landowner alleged that the construction of the pillars appears to favour a private star hotel on Avinashi Road. Meanwhile, the highways department has filed an appeal against the order. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that the pillars, originally spaced 30 metres apart, had been repositioned without structural justification. The judge ordered the demolition of the relocated pillars and reconstruction at the originally-sanctioned spots, citing risk to the structural integrity of the flyover. He also imposed a personal fine of Rs 1,000 each on two senior highways engineers, and directed that the relocated pillars be marked with the Tamil Nadu Government's motto "Vaaimaiye Vellum" (Truth Alone Triumphs), and be known as the "Pillars of Truth." The 10.1 km-long, Rs 1,621.3 crore flyover project, connecting Uppilipalayam and Goldwins, is one of Tamil Nadu's largest infrastructure undertakings. Originally, the project included five pedestrian subways at high-traffic points to ensure safe crossings under the flyover, as well as service roads to maintain access to properties alongside the corridor. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause and a member of the Coimbatore District Road Safety Committee filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the highways department for omitting key pedestrian infrastructure and a service road in the ongoing Avinashi Road elevated flyover project. The PIL, filed before the Madras High Court, flags the silent removal of five approved pedestrian subways and the dropping of a service road near a private hotel, both of which were part of the original sanctioned plans.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Consumer body to file PIL demanding construction of subways on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding construction of five subways along the 10.1 km stretch of Avinashi Road in Coimbatore city as planned initially in the Avinashi Road flyover project. K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the consumer body, said five pedestrian subways were approved across the stretch, with ₹15.47 crores earmarked for it in the sanctioned estimate of ₹1,621.30 crore flyover project. However, the revised estimate of ₹1,791.22 crores for the project had apparently excluded these essential safety provisions, without any reasonable justification. Only a Foot over Bridge (FOB) was approved near a private educational institution because it was requested by the institution. There was no such consideration for the convenience of the general public, he said. When the issue was taken up to the Coimbatore district Collector in 2024, he called for a Special Road Safety Committee meeting on March 1, 2024, which was attended by the City Police Commissioner and Corporation Commissioner. After a thorough discussion, the officials of the Highways Department were instructed to provide the facility for pedestrian crossings. The Collector also sent a letter dated March 28, 2024 to the Divisional Engineer (Projects), Highways Department, instructing the Department to provide subways/FOBs with lifts. Yet, the revised estimate was sanctioned on July 12, 2024, excluding the subways. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines mandated construction of pedestrian infrastructures. Absence of pedestrian crossings was said to be the cause of death of more than 10 persons every month in Coimbatore. More than 238 pedestrians died in Coimbatore City alone during the past 2.5 years. The five subways were approved and funds sanctioned too. But, the Highways Department dropped the subways and in some places, development of service road too without anyone's knowledge. The Department should construct all five originally proposed subways (excluding the privately requested FOB) or FOBs at the locations planned initially or nearby. Any further proposal or revision in this work must be done only in consultation with public stakeholders and safety authorities. The service road provided in the original approved design was also deleted in a few places. The roads must be provided as per the original approved plan, he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Stray Menace: Can't Do Much Due To Legal Roadblocks, Cops Tell HC
Nagpur: The city police have informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court that while they are attempting to act on repeated judicial directives to contain the city's growing stray dog menace, existing legal provisions bar them from taking any action involving killing or culling of strays, rendering enforcement efforts largely ineffective. In an affidavit submitted on Friday, deputy commissioner of police (headquarters) Ashwini S Patil stated, "Due to the prohibition on destruction or killing of dogs, it is not possible to implement Section 44 of the Maharashtra Police Act in its true spirit." Section 44 of the Maharashtra Police Act allows police to seize or destroy stray dogs found in public places without muzzles or owner identification. However, it protects dogs wearing identifiable collars and restricts immediate action unless the animal is confirmed to be rabid. Patil reiterated that this section, though well-intended, remains toothless without changes in national and state-level regulations prohibiting destruction of dogs. The affidavit was filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Vijay Talewar and community representative Manoj Shakya, who have sought a coordinated and sustained crackdown on stray dog attacks in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo Represented by senior counsel Firdos Mirza, the petitioners cited the rising number of incidents, including a recent tragic case in which a minor boy in Kalamna fell from the sixth floor of a building while attempting to flee a stray dog. During the last hearing on July 14, a division bench comprising justices Anil Kilor and Manohar Nerlikar strongly rebuked both, the police and municipal authorities, for inaction. "How many times must we repeat ourselves?" the judges remarked, taking note of the fatal incident highlighted by Mirza. He warned that continued negligence could result in more avoidable deaths. To comply with court directives, the police issued circulars on November 28, 2022, deputing an assistant commissioner of police to coordinate with the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001 committee. The circulars also outlined awareness initiatives aimed at public cooperation in reporting and managing stray dogs. Despite these measures, the affidavit emphasised that the core obstacle remains the legal bar on killing strays, making it difficult to act beyond basic coordination or detainment. Talewar and Shakya, representing the Ramdaspeth Durga Pooja Utsav Mandal and Kachipura Kushwaha Samaj respectively, have urged the court to issue clear instructions to authorities, arguing that ambiguity in law must not be allowed to compromise public safety.
