CBI Special Court Assam Starts Framing Charges In Manipur Violence Cases
Guwahati language : In a significant development, the Special Court Assam has started trial in violence cases in Manipur and also framed the charges against the accused in the gruesome case in May 2023 in which three women were sexually assaulted and paraded by a mob.
The Special Court framed the charges against six people in the sexual assault case that took place on May 4, 2023, based on the CBI’s indictment.
While the crowd beat 3 women, the father and brother of one of them were killed.
In the case of women being paraded naked, the Special CBI Bench of Justice Chatra Bhukhan Gogoi on January 2 framed charges against Huirem Herodash Meitei, Arun Khundongbam, Ningombam Tomba Singh, Yumlembam Jiban Singh, Pukhrihongbam Suranjoy Meitei and Nameirakpam Kiran Meitei.
They are facing charges under Sections of rioting, unlawful assembly, promoting enmity between groups, murder, outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal offense for robbing a woman, rape during sectarian or communal violence, gang rape, mischief by lighting fire to destroy houses and violating the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Six people pleaded not guilty.
In August 2023, the Supreme Court shifted the hearing of Manipur ethnic violence-related cases investigated by the CBI to Guwahati.
These include the case of two Meitei students who went missing in July 2023 and were presumed murdered three months later after photos of their bodies were published on social media. Their bodies were never found.
The charge in this case was filed against four people: Lhingeneichang, Paominlun Haokip, Smalswan Haokip and Paolunmang. However, the charges are yet to be framed by the court. The last hearing was held on December 16, 2025, after the defendant’s lawyer said that some digital documents had not yet been delivered to the defendant. The court then fixed the next date.
Another case heard by the court relates to the murder of Lucy Marem, a Maring Naga woman, in Imphal in July 2023. CBI has filed a complaint against nine people, including five women, in this case. A hearing on the framing of the charges was scheduled for Friday.
The case of a young Kuki woman, who claimed that she was abducted by four men on May 15, assaulted and raped before escaping, is also being heard in the Special CBI Court. The CBI filed a chargesheet in May 2025 and the court took cognizance of charges including attempt to murder, forcible undressing, causing simple hurt and violation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Cruelty) Act against the two accused. At the last hearing on January 2, the duo was allowed to be released on bail.
The court observed: “It is clear from the statements of Victim-1, Victim-2, Victim-3, informants and witnesses… an illegal assembly of around 900/1000 persons suspected to be members of various Meitei Youth Organizations, armed with advanced weapons, entered B Phainom village, Kangpokpi District, Manipur, on 4 May 2023. The persons assembled at B Phainom and Toubul villages, vandalizing houses.” and were clear in their intention to engage in destructive activities, including setting fire to, looting movable property, cash, animals and attacking villagers. Witness statements and video footage clearly reveal the actions of the accused persons/illegal assembly. The illegal assembly was clearly involved in rioting, inciting violence, public nuisance, sexual assault, rape and other criminal acts.” order.
It is also stated that the identity of the defendant was determined by the victims in an identity verification test conducted in September 2023.
“The evidence available in the present case clearly describes a violent incident in which Meitei gangs targeted Kuki individuals, involving acts of arson, vandalism, physical assault and sexual assault,” the court said.
