An open letter to Manipur CM, Chief Justice of Manipur & Minister of Law

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Lakshmi Kanta Mohapatra - First Chief Justice of Manipur High Court sworn-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on 10 July 2014 :: Pix - DIPR

The President of Chandel District Bar Association, Manipur, humbly submit the following few facts for your kind perusal and favorable order(s).

1. That in the recent past the state government has successfully opened District and Session court in six session division. The state government had also already issued orders no 2/62/2012/L dated 9.9.2014 in the name o f the governor of Manipur thereby creating posts for court of district and Session Judges, Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Tamenglong.

Before that the state government also had already opened district and session judge court at Bishnupur and Thoubal. Opening of district and Session Judge Court at Churachandpur also already been done. But, the state govt has not considered for the creation of of posts and opening of district and session judge court at Chandel district for the reason best known to the concerned au authority.

2. Pertinent to mentioned herein that out of nine Districts of Manipur, only 2 districts have been left unattended namely District Session Judge Couirt, Imphal and Chandel Districts.

It is a fact that citizens of Chandel district are facing untold hardships in getting access to justice. As per the direction given by the Supreme Court of India in TC (C) No.22 of 2001 (Brij Mohan Lal Vs Union of India & Ors) and in compliance of the recommendation of the Advisory Council to the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, opening of the Diustrict and Sesssions Judges to all the districts of Manipur is a must.

3. While reiterating the need for creation of post and functioning of District and Sessions Judge Court for Chandel District, it is being reminded that the said matter was addressed to the secretary (Law), with a copy served to the Registrar General, High Court of Manipur.

In reciprocation to the Representation, the authority concerned with a team comprising of The Registrar General of the High Court of Manipur, the District and Session Judge Manipur West, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary (Law) to the Government of Manipur paid a special visit to the court Complex (CJM)/Chandel on 16thJanuary 2015 and a spot enquiry was conducted at different places for functioning and constructions of the infrastructure with respect to District and Session Judge, Chandel District namely:-

i) The Deputy’s Commissioner Office (old Complex) Chandel district, for, temporarily opening of District and Sessions Judge Court at District headquarters.

ii) P.W.D. Complex & premises for construction of Judges Quarters.

iii) The present SDO Chandel & Revenue Quarters for construction of District and Sessions Court.

iv) Alternative site was identified near Mini Stadium, Chandel Christian for the construction of District and Sessions Court.

All the above mentioned sites/lands come under the District Administration, which also can facilitate in the processes of acquisition of land. But, the processes of such benevolent opening of District and Sessions Judge in respect of Chandel District seems to be in abrupt halt and kept unattended at the cold storage for pretty long time.

4. Some of the distinguished features that supports for the early functioning of District and Sessions Judge, at Chandel District Headquarters may be summarily stated as follows:

i) Chandel District has more of a strategic location being the International Border

ii) It occupies a very important place with respect to “Look East Policy/Act East Policy”.

iii) Comparatively, it has more cases than Ukhrul, and Tamenglong Districts for the very fact that International Trade Centres is located at Chandel District.

iv) Prevent the act of Smuggling, transportation of illegal trafficking, of contraband items which need to be controlled properly.

v) Access to Justice have been deprived for so long in spite of the said available strategic location and social ramification.

It is therefore, prayed to Hon’ble concerned authorities at the helm of affairs kindly to take up necessary steps for creation of post and expedite the functioning of district and sessions Judge Court in respect of Chandel district, Manipur, as done to other districts of Manipur by taking into consideration of the Supreme Court directions and the Advisory Councils recommendations as mentioned herein above.

RT Rebirthson Anal
President,
Chandel District Bar Association, Manipur