The Supreme Court on Monday said it would set up an independent court-monitored committee of retired judges and domain experts to probe the Manipur violence to “send a message” and restore “confidence in the administration”, adding that merely entrusting the gruesome incidents to the CBI or an SIT would not serve the purpose.

“…To restore a sense of faith in the administration we will appoint a committee. The court-appointed team has its own message to send that the highest-appointed court is deeply concerned. It will send officers with no political alignment,” a bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud told the Centre, the Manipur government and a batch of petitioners seeking an independent probe into the unprecedented violence in the state.

“In such sectarian violence both the communities are affected. But what we are concerned about is rebuilding the lives and restoring peace,” the bench said, adding: “Merely entrusting to CBI or an SIT would not be enough. We will have to picture a situation where a 19-year-old woman who has lost her family is in a relief camp. We cannot have her going to the magistrate. We have to ensure that the process of justice goes to her doorstep.”

The apex court will pass orders on the composition of the proposed committee, which is expected to include retired women Supreme Court judges, at 2pm on Tuesday.

Petitioners have opposed the government’s move to entrust the case to the CBI as the agency functions under the Centre, which, along with the Manipur police, has been accused of inaction.