Supreme Court Demands Detailed Report on Unnatural Deaths in Manipur’s Relief Camps

The apex court in New Delhi could barely hide its alarm on Thursday when it learned that scores of internally displaced persons (IDPs) housed in Manipur’s makeshift relief camps had died under circumstances described as “unnatural.” A three‑judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, joined by Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked the Manipur chief secretary to put everything on paper.

In a terse order, the judges demanded an affidavit that explains what steps have been taken to probe each death, why post‑mortems were only carried out in 20 of the 34 cases, and how the state intends to ensure the safety and dignity of the survivors still living in those camps. The bench also wondered why the compensation paid to families of the deceased was a paltry ₹20,000‑30,000.

The court didn’t stop there. It instructed the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) to file a separate status report and to make sure that FIRs are lodged for every “unnatural” death. Moreover, the MSLSA was told to see that investigations move at a brisk pace and that the camps are secured against any further tragedy.

The order came after the bench reviewed the findings of the Justice Gita Mittal committee and a report from an IAS officer, both of which highlighted more than 30 deaths in the camps, one allegedly following a sexual assault. The judges expressed a sliver of hope that two special trial courts, set up to hear CBI and NIA cases stemming from the 2023 ethnic violence, will wrap up their dockets quickly.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the CBI and the state, told the court that the central agency has already filed final reports in 28 of 31 cases it is handling, with three still under investigation. Apart from the CBI’s work, the state has formed 42 Special Investigation Teams (SITs) across eight districts. Those teams have lodged over 3,000 cases, filed charge‑sheets in 302 matters, closed 1,583 investigations and are still probing 1,135 others. Trials have already begun in 33 of the state‑investigated cases.

The violence that forced thousands to flee began on May 3, 2023, after a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts sparked a fierce backlash to the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, more than 200 people have been killed, hundreds injured and countless families displaced.

As the Supreme Court watches closely, the onus now lies squarely on Manipur’s administration to answer the court’s pointed questions, bring any perpetrators to justice and, most importantly, restore a sense of security to those who have already endured so much.