The Supreme Court of India, under the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, has been actively monitoring the aftermath of the violence in Manipur. In a recent development, the Court directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to ensure that Aadhaar cards are issued to individuals displaced due to the violence, but only after thorough verification. This decision came in light of concerns raised about many individuals losing their Aadhaar cards during the riots.
Senior Advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, representing the judges’ committee constituted by the Supreme Court, informed the Court about the various steps taken by both the State of Manipur and the Union government in response to the Court’s previous directions. However, she emphasized that certain actions were still pending and sought further directions from the Court. One of the primary concerns she raised was the loss of Aadhaar cards by many during the riots. Addressing this, the Court stressed the importance of biometric verification before reissuing any Aadhaar card to prevent potential misuse.
Makhija also highlighted the shortage of secretaries at the District Legal Service Authorities (DSLA) and emphasized the need for additional manpower. The Court was informed that nine secretaries had already been appointed for the nine judicial districts in Manipur. The Court responded by emphasizing the potential need for additional paralegals.
Furthermore, the Court directed the Manipur government to allocate funds to compensate riot victims. Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, however, expressed reservations about the Court’s deep involvement in administrative matters. He suggested that many issues could be resolved through collaboration with the government. This led to discussions about the need for a centralized nodal counsel to guide the grievances of displaced individuals. The Court eventually directed the Union to nominate a nodal officer in Delhi to streamline the process.
Senior Advocates Huzefa Ahmadi and Colin Gonsalves also expressed concerns about the destruction of churches and other religious buildings in Manipur. They urged the state government to identify and reconstruct the vandalized religious structures. The Court gave the State of Manipur and the Union of India a week to respond to these concerns.
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that while the Court is keen on ensuring justice and rehabilitation for the affected individuals, it does not intend to micromanage the administration of Manipur. He stated,
“We don’t have time to hear this matter every week. We don’t intend to run the Manipur administration here in the Supreme Court.”
The ongoing proceedings underscore the Court’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of those affected by the Manipur violence while balancing the administrative autonomy of the state.
