The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over alleged unnatural deaths and cases of sexual harassment in Manipur’s relief camps. Reprimanding the state government, the court ordered the Chief Secretary of Manipur to file a detailed report on all 25 suspicious deaths, including post-mortem reports and documents related to the causes of death.
Citing a report by the committee headed by former Jammu & Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal, the court raised serious questions regarding the safety and dignity of displaced persons living in relief camps. Inform us what steps you have taken. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing petitions concerning the investigation and proceedings of sexual violence cases linked to the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur. The court also questioned the Manipur Advocate General regarding information sought by the committee on July 4 concerning the 25 unnatural deaths of internally displaced persons in relief camps. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that 42 Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been constituted across eight districts. A total of 3,020 cases are under investigation; charge sheets have been filed in 302 cases, and closure reports in 1,583 cases.
Taking a stern view, the Chief Justice told the state government: “Tell your Chief Secretary not to force the court to pass an order.
