The Supreme Court on Thursday, September 17, expressed concern over reports of unnatural deaths in relief camps in Manipur, including an alleged sexual assault incident, and directed the State Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive report on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and measures taken to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs).
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana passed the directions while hearing a batch of petitions concerning the investigation and trial of sexual violence cases arising from the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence.
The Court took note of a report submitted by a committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, which referred to issues relating to compensation and deaths in relief camps.
The Bench directed the Manipur Chief Secretary to provide details of all 25 unnatural deaths referred to in news reports, along with post-mortem reports and other relevant documents indicating the causes of death. The State has also been asked to explain the remedial and safety measures taken to protect the safety and dignity of IDPs living in the camps.
The Court further directed the State to ensure adequate medical facilities and essential day-to-day necessities for camp residents.
According to the committee’s report, 640 deaths had been reported in relief camps across eight districts. Post-mortem examinations were conducted in only 20 cases, while criminal cases had been registered in connection with the deaths. The report also referred to compensation of only Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 in some cases.
The Bench sought an explanation from the State on why post-mortems had been conducted in only 20 cases and why such limited compensation had been paid.
The Manipur Legal Services Authority was directed to immediately address the issue and ensure registration of FIRs in all cases of unnatural deaths, proper ascertainment of the causes of death, protection of IDPs and victims in relief camps, and expeditious investigation of FIRs already registered.
Chief Justice Surya Kant also questioned the Manipur Advocate General about the information sought by the Mittal Committee on July 4 regarding the 25 unnatural deaths.
The Chief Justice directed the official to advise the Chief Secretary against prompting formal judicial orders and demanded a clear account of the state’s implemented actions.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Bench that 42 Special Investigation Teams (SITs) had been constituted across eight districts to investigate 3,020 cases. Charge sheets have been filed in 302 cases, closure reports in 1,583 cases, while 1,135 cases remain under investigation. Trials have commenced in 33 cases.
The Court was also informed that the CBI is investigating 31 cases. Charge sheets have been filed in 28 cases and closure reports in six, while three cases remain under investigation. Proceedings have commenced in cases where charge sheets have been filed.
The status report stated that 978 witnesses had been cited, of whom six had been examined so far, while 38 persons had been arrested.
The Bench also discussed expediting trials, particularly since the transferred CBI cases are being heard by a Special Court in Gauhati.
Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for victims, submitted that cross-examination was underway but the court was able to take up the matters only twice a week.
CJI Surya Kant observed that even hearing the matters twice a week would assist in expediting the trials and suggested exploring the possibility of assigning two courts to the CBI cases.
The Bench directed the Additional Solicitor General to ensure that the Gauhati High Court’s requirement for two courts to handle National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases is addressed immediately.
The post Supreme Court seeks report on 25 unnatural deaths in Manipur relief camps, asks state to ensure safety of displaced persons appeared first on India Legal.