Supreme Court Expresses Shock Over Unnatural Deaths in Manipur Relief Camps

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed shock over reports of unnatural deaths among internally displaced persons in Manipur relief camps, pulling up the state administration and warning the top bureaucrat against inviting judicial orders. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, questioned the state government over why no significant action had been taken following information provided by a committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal.

The proceedings emerged during a hearing concerning the investigation and trial of sexual violence cases arising from the ethnic violence that erupted in the state in May 2023. The bench demanded a comprehensive report from the Manipur Chief Secretary detailing the circumstances surrounding 25 unnatural deaths identified in reports, including an alleged sexual assault case. The court pointed to inadequate post-mortem examinations, noting they had reportedly been conducted in only 20 of those 25 cases, and questioned why families had received compensation ranging from merely Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.

Addressing the living conditions within the camps, the Supreme Court directed the state administration to explain remedial measures implemented to safeguard the dignity and safety of displaced residents. The bench ordered that adequate medical facilities and day-to-day necessities be provided immediately across all relief camps, which had previously been highlighted in committee findings documenting 640 deaths across eight districts.

At the same time, the Manipur State Legal Services Authority received explicit instructions to intervene immediately. The authority must ensure that FIRs are registered in all cases of unnatural deaths, that causes of death are thoroughly ascertained through proper medical inquiries, and that investigations proceed expeditiously. The bench cautioned the state's leadership directly during the hearing, with Chief Justice Kant remarking to the Manipur Advocate General that the Chief Secretary should not invite judicial intervention by ignoring prior committee inquiries.

During the same proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presented an update on judicial progress, informing the bench that 42 Special Investigation Teams across eight districts had been formed to investigate 3,020 cases. Out of those cases, charge sheets had been filed in 302, closure reports submitted in 1,583, and 1,135 remained under active investigation, with trials underway in 33 matters.

Regarding cases handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the agency reported handling 31 cases, having filed charge sheets in 28 and closure reports in six, with three still under investigation. Legal representation for victims, including Advocate Nizam Pasha, highlighted logistical bottlenecks in judicial proceedings, noting that a designated Special Court in Gauhati handling transferred cases could sit only two days a week due to scheduling constraints.

The Supreme Court directed the Additional Solicitor General to address the Gauhati High Court requirement for a second designated court immediately to accelerate proceedings. The bench noted that expanding judicial capacity would help ensure swifter accountability for crimes arising from the prolonged ethnic conflict.