March 24, 2026 : The Supreme Court is presently considering a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking cancellation of bail granted to certain accused in a grave case arising from the Manipur violence of May 2023. The case relates to a widely reported incident in which women were allegedly stripped, paraded naked, and subjected to sexual assault by a mob during the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the State. The incident came into national focus after disturbing video footage surfaced, prompting public outrage and leading to the transfer of the investigation to the CBI under the Court’s supervision.

In its application, the agency has argued that the allegations involve extremely serious offences, including gangrape, committed in a situation of communal unrest. It contends that the grant of bail in such circumstances is untenable, given the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference with witnesses and the trial process. The CBI has further emphasized that the incident is not isolated but forms part of a broader pattern of violence during the unrest, where vulnerable individuals were specifically targeted.

The agency has urged the Court to adopt a strict approach while evaluating the issue of bail, stressing that the right to personal liberty must be carefully balanced against the demands of justice and the need to maintain public confidence in the legal system.

Although the investigation has progressed with the filing of charges against multiple accused, the present proceedings raise a critical question as to whether the grant of bail aligns with the seriousness of the alleged offences. The matter places before the Court key principles of criminal law, particularly the balance between individual liberty and the necessity of ensuring a fair and effective trial in cases involving heinous crimes. The outcome is likely to influence the approach to bail in cases arising from large-scale violence and serious offences against women.