Manipur : Supreme Court Refuses To Interfere With HC Order On Internet Restoration; Allows StateTo Approach HC Regarding Difficulties

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Manipur High Court's order which directed the Manipur Government to restore internet in a limited fashion in the State affected by ethnic conflicts. However, the Court granted liberty to the State of Manipur to approach the High Court to apprise it of the the difficulties faced by the  in implementing the High Court's.

The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Manoj Misra was hearing a plea filed by the State Government challenging the Manipur High Court order which allowed the restoration of internet in the State in a limited manner.

On July 7, the Manipur High Court had ordered the State government to lift the internet ban on Internet Lease Line (ILL) and Fibre To The Home (FTTH) connections in the State after ensuring that all the stakeholders have complied with the safeguards suggested by an Expert Committee.

Appearing before the Apex Court for the State of Manipur, SG Tushar Mehta said–

"Any rumour is likely to ignite riots. The question of internet is sometimes open and then sometimes it is not. My prayer is that the Internet issue can be left to the discretion of those on ground, my lord."

To this, CJI DY Chandrachud remarked that the state could approach the High Court of Manipur and inform it about the issues that the state is facing. Passing the order, he said–

"The Solicitor General has submitted that the State of Manipur will approach the High Court of Manipur with the difficulties faced in implementing its order regarding internet. Liberty granted."

The CJI also added that since the High Court was seized of the matter, the Supreme Court would not enter the issue. However, the Solicitor General expressed apprehensions about coercive action against the State on non-compliance of the High Court. Assuring the SG that nothing of that sort will happen, CJI said :"If anything happens, we are always here."