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Synopsis

Taking into consideration the issue of blockades in areas of violence-stricken Manipur, a bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala has directed the Central and State government to ensure supply of food, medicines and other basic necessities.

Court has further directed that essentials may be air dropped where blockades are preventing rations from reaching the people.

These directions came to be issued by the top court after Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the three judges' committee constituted by the court to deal with humanitarian aspects informed the bench about an outbreak of measles and chicken pox in some relief camps.

At the outset, CJI questioned, "Why is the committee before us..you can reach out to the government directly..".

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta went on to state before court that the government was aware of the issue and submitted that the administration will take proper remedial and preventive measures.

On the reports being submitted by the committee, SG Mehta requested for some time as he had not gone through them. Agreeing to his request, the bench has not placed the matter on Wednesday, September 6.

Last Friday, Supreme Court had allowed trial in cases being probed by Central Bureau of Investigation, relating to Manipur Violence, to be conducted in Assam.

"We are not asking the victims to go to Assam, the evidence will be recorded in Manipur only..", CJI DY Chandrachud led bench had added.

When Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves had raised apprehension on victims from hills facing difficulty in travelling, CJI had said,

"We have to keep in mind that there are victims in the valley and there are victims in the hills..it would be difficult for both of them to travel..We can say that there can be a designated court in Manipur to record statements of victims..or depose virtually..".

The bench had accordingly issued a bunch of directions on the conduction of trials. Court was further informed that suggestions had been prepared on the procedural requirements of the three women-judge committee formed by it to help with the situation in Manipur.

Earlier, the committee consisting of former women High Court judges, namely, Justice Gita Mittal, Justice Shalini Joshi and Justice Asha Menon, formed by the Supreme Court of India to look into diverse aspects of humanitarian nature such as rehabilitation, restoration etc in violence-stricken Manipur had submitted three reports before it.

The three reports submitted by the committee were:

1. First is a report highlighting the fact that several residents of Manipur have lost their documentation and need to be provided with the same.
2. Second is on the Manipur victims compensation scheme, stating that same is to be brought in conformity with the NALSA scheme, and
3. The third is a proposal of the committee for appointment of domain experts to help in their work.

On August 7, the top court had appointed said committee, headed by Justice Mittal to look into aspects like relief, remedial measures, rehabilitation, restoration of homes and religious places etc.

Court had further appointed former IPS officer, Dattatray Padsalgikar, who has wide experience to oversee the investigation by CBI.

"...on the 16 FIRs relating to sexual offences to be transferred to CBI..what we propose to do is that, we are not going to supplant CBI, at the same time to make sure there is sense of faith..we are proposing to direct that there shall be 5 officers at least of Dy. SP rank from various states, who will be brought from different states on deputation to CBI to oversee these investigations...", the bench had further ordered.

Case Title: DINGANGLUNG GANGMEI vs. MUTUM CHURAMANI MEETEI & ORS.