The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over reports of unnatural deaths among internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying in relief camps in Manipur and directed the State Chief Secretary to file a comprehensive report on the deaths, including the circumstances and causes of death.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was 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 the committee headed by former Jammu & Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, which referred to deaths in relief camps and issues concerning compensation to affected persons.
The Bench directed the Manipur Chief Secretary to provide details of 25 unnatural deaths of IDPs reported in the media, along with post-mortem reports and other documents identifying the causes of death. The State has also been asked to explain what preventive and remedial measures have been taken to protect the safety and dignity of people living in relief camps.
The Court was particularly concerned by the disparity between the number of deaths and the number of post-mortem examinations conducted. The material placed before it referred to 640 deaths in relief camps across eight districts, while post-mortems had reportedly been conducted in only 20 cases.
The Bench also questioned the State over reports that compensation of only ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 had been paid in some cases and sought an explanation for the same.
Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned the Manipur Advocate General about information that the Justice Mittal Committee had sought from the State on July 4 regarding the 25 unnatural deaths. “Tell your Chief Secretary not to invite orders. Tell us what measures you have taken.”
The Court directed the State to ensure that adequate medical facilities and essential day-to-day necessities are provided to persons residing in the relief camps.
The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) was directed to immediately take up the issue and ensure that FIRs are registered in every case of unnatural death, the causes of death are properly ascertained, and investigations in cases where FIRs have already been registered are conducted expeditiously.
The authority was also directed to take steps to ensure the safety and dignity of IDPs and victims residing in the relief camps.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati apprised the Bench of the progress of investigations by the Special Investigation Teams.
According to the status report, 42 SITs have been constituted across eight districts to investigate around 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 about the status of cases being investigated by the CBI. The agency is investigating 31 cases, with charge sheets filed in 28 and closure reports submitted in six; three cases remain under investigation. A total of 978 witnesses have been cited, but only six have been examined so far, while 38 persons have been arrested.
The Bench also discussed the pace of trials before the Special Court at Gauhati. Counsel appearing for the victims submitted that the transferred cases were being taken up only two days a week.
The Chief Justice observed that the proceedings needed to move expeditiously and suggested exploring the possibility of having two courts to deal with the CBI cases. The Bench also directed the Additional Solicitor General to ensure that the Gauhati High Court’s requirement for two courts to hear NIA cases is addressed immediately.
The Court’s directions came against the backdrop of its continuing monitoring of the investigation, prosecution, relief and rehabilitation measures arising from the 2023 Manipur violence.