Disposing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the IDPs’ welfare in Churachandpur—citing disparity in financial aid and other welfare measures for displaced persons—the High Court of Manipur has referred the issue to be taken up by the three-member committee constituted by the Supreme Court to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts in the state.
The PIL was filed by one Anthony Naulak against the Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) and two others, seeking action on a representation dated July 28, 2025. The case was heard by a division bench of Chief Justice M. Sundar and Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma.
It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court-appointed committee for relief camps in Manipur consists of three former women High Court judges: Justice Gita Mittal (chairperson), Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, and Justice Asha Menon. The committee’s mandate includes overseeing relief and rehabilitation, ensuring the provision of aid, and looking into compensation and the restoration of property and places of worship for the victims of the Manipur violence.
The High Court of Manipur, acknowledging the humanitarian importance of the issue, noted that the Advocate General assured the petitioner’s representation and related documents would be forwarded to the Supreme Court-appointed committee for necessary consideration.
Observing that the “Supreme Court is seized of the matter,” the High Court disposed of the PIL and the related miscellaneous case, clarifying that it had expressed no opinion on the merits, and that any further grievances should be pursued before the apex court.
