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Synopsis

In a significant step to bolster legal aid and humanitarian support, a delegation of six Supreme Court judges led by Justice B.R. Gavai will visit relief camps where internally displaced people (IDP) are living in violence-hit Manipur on March 22, Saturday, 2025.

The delegation also includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, M.M. Sundresh, K.V. Viswanathan, and N. Kotiswar Singh, who will visit the relief camps on the occasion of the duodecennial celebrations of the Manipur High Court.

According to a press statement by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Justice B.R. Gavai, who serves as the Executive Chairman of NALSA, will virtually inaugurate legal services and medical camps across all districts of Manipur. Justice Gavai will also open legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul districts.

These legal services camps will assist the internally displaced people (IDP) in accessing the government's welfare programmes, pensions, employment initiatives, reconstruction of identity documents and essential healthcare support.

Further adding to the relief, NALSA stated that a team of 25 specialised doctors from Chennai will set up medical camps at all relief centres in Manipur. The doctors will stay for six more days to ensure sustained medical support, treatment, and easy access to essential medicines for IDPs.

Both NALSA and the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) played an essential role in providing legal assistance during the ethnic violence in Manipur which occurred on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki communities.  

Notably, the visit by the top court judges underscores NALSA’s commitment to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities. As the primary authority responsible for providing free legal aid, NALSA continues to bridge the gap between legal rights and accessibility.

"By ensuring that every displaced person receives the necessary support, protection, and resources, NALSA remains dedicated to helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity," NALSA added.

Recently, the top court extended the tenure of Justice Gita Mittal Committee till July 31.

In August 2023, the court had appointed a committee consisting of former women High Court judges, namely, Justice Gita Mittal, Justice Shalini Joshi and Justice Asha Menon, to look into diverse aspects of a humanitarian nature such as rehabilitation, restoration etc in violence-stricken Manipur.

In July 2023, the top court had initiated suo moto proceedings into the incident of sexual assault and violence on two women in violence-hit Manipur.