New Delhi, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Manipur Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report on 25 unnatural deaths reported among internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in relief camps in the violence-affected state. The court sought post-mortem reports, details of the causes of death and information on steps taken to prevent such incidents.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued the directions while hearing petitions concerning investigations and trials arising from the 2023 Manipur violence.
The Bench took note of material placed before it regarding deaths and other difficulties faced by people living in relief camps. It directed the Chief Secretary to provide details of all 25 unnatural deaths reported in newspapers, along with the corresponding post-mortem reports and other documents identifying the circumstances and causes of death.
The state government was also asked to explain the preventive and safety measures adopted in relief camps to protect the safety and dignity of internally displaced persons.
The court questioned why post-mortem examinations had reportedly been conducted in only 20 cases. It also sought an explanation over reports that compensation of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 had been paid in some cases involving unnatural deaths.
The Bench directed the state to clarify the basis for the compensation amounts and the reasons why post-mortem examinations had not been conducted in all relevant cases.
The court further directed authorities to ensure adequate medical facilities and essential day-to-day necessities for people residing in relief camps.
The Manipur State Legal Services Authority was directed to immediately examine the issue and ensure that FIRs are registered in all cases of unnatural deaths. It was also asked to ensure that the causes of death are properly ascertained and that investigations in cases where FIRs have already been registered are completed expeditiously.
The directions followed the Supreme Court’s consideration of reports submitted by a committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal. The committee had been constituted to examine humanitarian concerns arising from the 2023 violence, including issues concerning women and children, relief camps, compensation and rehabilitation.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati also placed before the Bench the status of investigations into cases arising from the Manipur violence.
The Centre informed the court that 42 Special Investigation Teams had been constituted across eight districts. According to the status presented before the Bench, charge sheets had been filed in 302 cases, closure reports submitted in 1,583 cases and 1,135 cases remained under investigation.
The Bench was also apprised of cases being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, including matters concerning sexual violence during the 2023 violence.
The Supreme Court had earlier transferred 11 sexual-violence cases to the CBI and directed that their trials be conducted in Assam, while allowing victims and witnesses to depose through video conferencing from Manipur. The court had also appointed former IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the investigation into cases arising from the violence.
The court has previously emphasised the need to provide victims and witnesses a safe environment for recording their statements and has considered measures to facilitate the expeditious conduct of trials in cases arising from the Manipur violence.
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