The Supreme Court has ordered the Manipur government to report on 25 suspected unnatural deaths in relief camps and explain FIRs, post-mortems and safety measures.
The Supreme Court has directed the Manipur government to submit a comprehensive report concerning 25 suspected unnatural deaths among internally displaced people living in relief camps.
Expressing serious concern over the reported deaths, including an incident allegedly involving sexual assault, the Court sought post-mortem reports and documents explaining the circumstances and causes of each death.
The directions were issued on September 17 by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
Chief Secretary Asked to Submit Complete Records
The Supreme Court ordered the Manipur Chief Secretary to provide complete information regarding all 25 unnatural deaths mentioned in reports placed before the bench.
The state must disclose:
- The circumstances and probable cause of each death.
- Whether a post-mortem examination was conducted.
- Details of FIRs registered in connection with the deaths.
- The status of investigations already initiated.
- Safety and remedial measures implemented in relief camps.
- Steps taken to protect the dignity of internally displaced persons.
The bench was considering a report submitted by a committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal. The committee was constituted to examine humanitarian, rehabilitation and compensation issues arising from the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Court questioned the state’s response to information sought by the committee on July 4 and demanded a clear account of the action taken.
Court Raises Questions Over Post-Mortems and Compensation
The committee’s report referred to broader information indicating that 640 deaths had been recorded in relief camps across eight districts. It stated that post-mortem examinations were reportedly conducted in only 20 cases.
The bench asked the state to explain why autopsies had not been performed in other relevant cases. It also expressed concern over reports that compensation of only ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 had been paid in some instances.
The Supreme Court’s directions focus specifically on the 25 suspected unnatural deaths. The broader figure does not mean that all deaths in the camps were caused by violence or criminal acts.
Legal Services Authority Given Immediate Directions
The Court directed the Manipur State Legal Services Authority to take immediate steps to ensure that:
- FIRs are registered in every case involving an unnatural death.
- The cause of death is properly established.
- Investigations into existing FIRs are completed expeditiously.
- Internally displaced people are provided adequate protection.
- Camp residents receive essential supplies and proper medical facilities.
The Court also instructed the state to protect the safety and dignity of displaced people and victims residing in relief camps, according to LiveLaw.
Thousands of Manipur Cases Under Investigation
During the hearing, the Centre informed the Court that 42 Special Investigation Teams had been formed across eight districts to investigate 3,020 cases linked to the Manipur violence.
Charge sheets have reportedly been filed in 302 cases, while closure reports have been submitted in 1,583. Investigations remain pending in 1,135 cases, and trials have begun in 33.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is handling 31 cases. The bench also discussed measures to speed up trials, including the possibility of assigning two special courts to cases transferred outside Manipur.
The proceedings form part of a batch of petitions concerning the investigation and trial of sexual-violence cases arising from the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023.
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