The Supreme Court of India, on March 17, extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee until July 31, 2025. This committee is currently overseeing multiple humanitarian aspects related to the ethnic violence in Manipur. The Court also clarified that sexual violence cases being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which were earlier transferred to Assam for pre-trial procedures, will undergo trial in Guwahati courts.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and Joymalya Bagchi, passed the order, stating:
"The Committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, is extended till 31st July, 2025."
The Court further directed that all reports submitted by the committee should be provided to the Government, except those containing sensitive information. Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija, serving as amicus curiae, represented the committee, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Union Government. Advocate Nizam Pasha represented the tribal groups and victims affected by the violence.
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Addressing an important clarification regarding an earlier order from August 2023, the Court made it clear that the cases transferred to Assam for pre-trial steps would be tried in Guwahati courts. The bench stated:
"We clarify that the trial of the transferred cases will be before the concerned courts in Guwahati."
This statement came in response to an impleadment application where the petitioner pointed out that while a chargesheet had been filed, the Guwahati Court had not yet taken cognizance of the matter, and the trial had not commenced.
The Supreme Court also directed the Union Government to submit a report detailing the properties that were looted, burned, or illegally occupied during the ethnic clashes. The Government was granted an additional three weeks to furnish this information, which was previously ordered to be submitted in a sealed cover on December 9, 2023. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on July 21, 2025.
The Justice Gita Mittal Committee was originally established by the Supreme Court in August 2023 to address the humanitarian crisis arising from the ethnic clashes in Manipur. This decision came after the Court criticized the Manipur Police’s handling of the investigation, calling it "tardy" and expressing deep concern over the sexual violence committed against women during the conflict.
The committee includes Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, former Judge of the Bombay High Court, and Justice Asha Menon, former Judge of the Delhi High Court.
The committee is responsible for several key tasks, including investigating the nature of violence against women that occurred in Manipur from May 4, 2023, and submitting reports to the Court regarding measures necessary to support survivors. This includes social, economic, and psychological rehabilitation, as well as relief and compensation distribution. The committee has also been tasked with ensuring adequate medical and psychological care for survivors and monitoring conditions in relief camps to uphold the dignity of displaced individuals.
The extension of the committee’s tenure reaffirms the Supreme Court’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Manipur. The continued efforts of the committee will play a vital role in ensuring justice for victims, supporting affected communities, and recommending solutions to improve the situation in the region. The next hearing in the case will take place on July 21, 2025.
Case Details: DINGANGLUNG GANGMEI Versus MUTUM CHURAMANI MEETEI AND ORS.
Diary No. - 19206/2023
