From a 10-day arrest in a Mizoram CSAM case and rapid action in Assam’s bribery and drug cases, the CBI demonstrates efficiency. However, its delayed or non-existent arrests in Manipur’s 2023 violence cases reveals a troubling paradox in its regional operations.
BY PC Bureau
June 10, 2025 – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is drawing sharp criticism for its starkly inconsistent timelines in apprehending suspects across Northeast India. While recent arrests in Mizoram and Assam have been executed with remarkable swiftness—often within days or weeks of case registration—major investigations in Manipur, particularly those stemming from the 2023 ethnic violence, have languished for over two years with minimal breakthroughs and a troubling lack of arrests in most cases.
The CBI recently showcased its rapid response capabilities in Mizoram. On June 9, 2025, the agency arrested an accused in Aizawl, just ten days after registering a case on May 30, 2025, involving the sexual assault of a minor and possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Swift searches on June 4, 2025, yielded incriminating electronic devices, and subsequent forensic analysis, bolstered by INTERPOL data and Google’s Cyber Tipline Reports, led to the rescue of the minor victim. This proactive detection and swift action, occurring before any local police report, underscored the CBI’s effective use of cyber intelligence and international cooperation.
READ: Delhi’s Hand or Self-Correction Behind Arambai Tenggols Retreat
Timeline of CBI Cases in Mizoram: FIR Registration and First Arrests
- Sexual Assault Case (Aizawl, 2025)
- FIR Registration: May 30, 2025
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- First Arrest: June 9, 2025
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- Details: The CBI arrested an accused in Aizawl for sexual assault of a minor and possession/dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Searches on June 4, 2025, led to the seizure of incriminating electronic devices, with forensic analysis confirming the abuse. The swift arrest within 10 days reflects effective use of cyber intelligence and international cooperation via INTERPOL and Google’s Cyber Tipline Reports.
- Bribery Case Involving Punjab National Bank (Dimapur, Nagaland, with Mizoram Jurisdiction)
- FIR Registration: June 4, 2025
- First Arrest: June 6–7, 2025
- Details: The CBI arrested a former Senior Manager of Punjab National Bank in Dimapur and a private firm proprietor for alleged bribery involving a ₹1 lakh undue advantage for extending a ₹20 lakh cash credit limit. While the case primarily pertains to Dimapur (Nagaland), it falls under the CBI’s Northeast jurisdiction, often coordinated with Mizoram due to regional proximity. Searches conducted on June 6–7, 2025, recovered incriminating documents.
#JUSTIN: 53 officers, including three DIG rank officers have been appointed to probe 11 cases relating to the Manipur violence that have been transferred from state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/LgEqYVaUUp
— Mahender Singh Manral (@mahendermanral) August 16, 2023
Similarly, in Assam, the CBI’s operations frequently demonstrate considerable agility. On June 6 and 7, 2025, the agency arrested a former Senior Manager of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Dimapur and a private firm proprietor following a bribery case registered on June 4, 2025. This rapid response, including searches and recovery of incriminating documents within days, highlights the agency’s efficiency in tackling financial crimes. Other examples from Assam reveal a consistent pattern of quick arrests:
- Fake Encounter Case in Barpeta District: Case registered on July 10, 2021; first arrest (a senior police officer) made just 10 days later, on July 20, 2021.
- Illegal Drug Trafficking Case (Border Area): Case registered on June 2, 2023; first arrest came 13 days later, on June 15, 2023.
- Assam State Transport Corporation Corruption Case: Case registered on August 1, 2020; first arrest (an ASTC official) made within 19 days, on August 20, 2020.
- Gold Smuggling Case (Border Area): Case registered on April 7, 2024; key accused arrested within 18 days, by April 25, 2024.
READ:Â Manipur Probe (1): Beyond Kanan Singh: Horrific Crimes Against Women Form Bulk of CBI Probe
Manipur Contrast:
This efficiency, however, stands in stark contrast to the CBI’s handling of cases related to Manipur ethnic violence.
CBI’s investigations into the widespread ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 encompass at least 38 cases, with 20 of these focusing on  crimes against women. These include high-profile incidents like the sexual assault and public parading of two Kuki-Zo women in Kangpokpi on May 4, 2023, and the abduction and suspected murder of two minors in July 2023. While chargesheets have been filed in a limited number of cases—such as against five individuals in the minors’ abduction case and nine in the murder of a Naga woman—arrests remain scarce.
The recent arrest of Kanan Singh, a key leader of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol, on June 7, 2025, for alleged involvement in arms looting, assault, and kidnapping during the 2023 violence, marks a rare, albeit delayed, breakthrough in Manipur. Co-accused in the same case, Korounganba Khuman, who is so-called Commander-in-chief of the Meitei milita Arambai Tenggol, remained delayed and unexplained. Tthe majority of cases registered in 2023 remain under active investigation, with the Supreme Court in March 2024 still awaiting detailed status reports, underscoring the slow pace of justice. The Supreme Court’s decision to shift pre-trial proceedings for 27 cases to Assam to ensure impartiality further highlights the challenges posed by Manipur’s charged ethnic environment and logistical constraints.
READ:Â Kuki-Zo-MHA Peace Talks Resume in Delhi on Positive Note
The CBI’s capacity for rapid and effective action, as consistently demonstrated in Mizoram and Assam, is undeniable. Yet, the stark and prolonged inaction in Manipur’s critical ethnic violence cases raise serious concerns about the agency’s prioritization, resource allocation, and ability to deliver timely justice in complex and politically sensitive regions. While the CBI reiterates its commitment to combating serious crimes, the uneven pace of justice across the Northeast remains a pressing concern for victims and legal observers alike.
