Manipur Violence : Judges' Panel Constituted By Supreme Court Seeks Extension Of Term

Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija today (July 19) requested the Supreme Court to grant an extension for the term of the Committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal which is overseeing the humanitarian aspects of the ethnic violence in Manipur. 

Makhija, who had been appointed as the amicus to represent the committee mentioned before the bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud that the committee's term came to an end on July 15. She submitted that an extension is necessary for the committee to continue its important work.

The bench had agreed to consider the extension request considering the seriousness of the work undertaken by the Committee.

The Justice Gita Mittal Committee was constituted by the Top Court in August last year to address the humanitarian concerns stemming from the ethnic clashes in Manipur. The development came subsequent to the Court slamming the Manipur police investigation as "tardy" and expressing anguish at the sexual violence committed against women amidst the sectarian conflict.

The bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra constituted the committee comprising - i. Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir; ii. Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, former Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay; and iii. Justice Asha Menon, former Judge of the High Court of Delhi 

The wide-ranging mandate of the committee includes the following key tasks : (1) Enquire into the nature of violence against women that occurred in the State of Manipur from 4 May 2023; (2) Submit a report to the Court on the steps required to meet the needs of the survivors including measures for dealing with rape trauma, providing social, economic, and psychological support, relief and rehabilitation in a time bound manner; (3)Ensure free and comprehensive medical and psychological care to survivors; (4) Ensure conditions of dignity in relief camps set up for displaced persons including suggestions for additional camps; (5) look into the disbursements of necessary compensations to victims of sexual assault, violence and next of kin.