by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
PMO worried over SC judgment on Manipur killings
Security forces demoralized
SLP may be filed soon
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, July 29
Extremely worried over the stance of the Supreme Court that criminal cases be filed against army personnel and security forces for killings in Manipur during the operations for killing the innocents, the Centre is likely to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the apex court.
The Centre reviewed the situation arising out of an order of the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur in July 2017 where it had directed the CBI to constitute an SIT to probe alleged fake encounters by the security forces in Manipur. The two-judge bench order of the SC created a piquant situation for the army in Manipur which is fighting against the ultras in extremely grave situation. The SC order also had a bearing in anti-terrorists operations in troubled-torn Jammu & kashmir where massive operations are underway. But the security forces have pointed out that it would be extremely difficult for them to continue with the operations if the sword of criminal cases registered against them would hang over their heads.
The situation became grave when the SC bench summoned the CBI director seeking his explanation for slow pace of probe against the security forces. A couple of such petitions are also pending in the Jammu & Kashmir high court in the wake of SC order. The army and police is battling every day with the NGOs and human right activists who are filing contempt petitions against them. This has demoralised the forces.
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat has brought the seriousness of the situation to the notice of the government and the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is also of the view that the SC judgment needs a immediate review.
It is in this background that a high-level meeting was held in the Prime Minister's Office. It is not immediately known whether the PM was present at the meeting or not. But it has been decided that a review petition be filed against this judgment immediately.
It may be mentioned that a bench of Justices M B Lokur and U U Lalit has summoned the Director CBI tomorrow in SC for the delay in investigation into the Manipur fake encounter cases.
The bench said it was “not satisfied” and added that it “would like to hear from Director CBI what can be done to expedite investigation and chargesheet can be filed”. The court asked him to be present at 2 pm on July 30. The court was upset when the CBI submitted that out of a total of 41 cases, investigation was complete in seven. Of the seven, approval has been received for filing chargesheets in two cases and approval for two others was expected in next few days. There are such cases in Jammu & kashmir too. But no SIT has been formed such operations in state.
Ends
