Supreme Court Stays Manipur HC Direction Requiring CBI To Track Absconding Rape Convict In 5 Months

The Supreme Court today stayed a direction issued by Manipur High Court to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requiring it to speedily track and produce Timothi Changsang, a child-home Administrator convicted for raping minor girls, who is absconding since 2018.

The bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra issued notice to the State of Manipur (and others) on the central agency's plea, returnable in 4 weeks.

Briefly put, complaints of sexual assault were filed against Changsang in the year 2015 and an FIR registered. In these complaints, it was alleged that he sexually assaulted minor girls in the children's home and threatened them against disclosing the incidents.

After about three years, in 2018, Changsang was convicted, however, he absconded. It was reported that he fled abroad. When the state authorities failed to secure his presence, the Manipur High Court, vide the impugned orders, ultimately directed the CBI to speedily track Changsang and secure his presence before the Court.

As per the central agency's case, initially a time of 3 months was given by the High Court. Thereafter, on January 10 this year, an extension of 8 weeks was granted.

Assailing the High Court orders, CBI approached the Supreme Court. The counsel who appeared for the agency today urged, "kindly see the predicament...they say trace an accused and they also fix a timeline".

Hearing him, the top Court issued notice and stayed the impugned direction.

Case Title: CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Versus STATE OF MANIPUR AND ORS., Diary No. 10963-2024

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