Manipur crisis: High Court initiates review of PIL on missing persons
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 16 2026:
The High Court of Manipur has taken cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to enforced disappearances and at least 32 missing persons in the aftermath of the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023 in the State.
The PIL, filed by the Families of Involuntarily Disappeared Association, Manipur (FIDAM) along with Human Rights Initiative (HRI), seeks transfer of investigation of multiple missing persons cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Court.
The case was heard by a Division Bench led by the Chief Justice, with Advocate O Kiranjit Singh and Advocate W Basantakumar representing the petitioners.
Court focuses on CBI transfer proposal
During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioners drew the Court's attention to a communication dated June 20, 2024 submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Bishnupur District, to the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
The communication reportedly referred to an earlier letter dated January 2, 2024, wherein a proposal was made to transfer certain sensitive cases of abduction and enforced disappearance to the CBI.
However, it was submitted before the Court that a copy of the letter dated January 4, 2024 had neither been furnished to the MHRC nor made available to the petitioners' counsel during proceedings before the Commission.
The absence of this crucial document raised concerns regarding transparency and the status of the proposed transfer of investigation.
Taking note of the submissions and the nature of the issues raised, the High Court deemed it appropriate, at this stage, to issue limited notice only to two respondents viz the Director General of Police (DGP), Manipur, and the Superintendent of Police (SP), Bishnupur.
The Court specifically directed the respondents to produce the letter dated January 4, 2024 and place on record the Action Taken Report (ATR) indicating what steps, if any, were taken by the DGP pursuant to the proposal for transfer of investigation to the CBI .
State seeks time to respond
On behalf of the State authorities, A Priyokumar Sharma, learned Junior Advocate to the learned Additional Advocate General, accepted notice for the respondents concerned.
He requested time to obtain and produce the relevant documents, including the communication dated January 4, 2024 and details of any follow-up action.
The Court granted two weeks' time for compliance and directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on April 29, 2026 .
The Bench observed that the question of issuing notice to other respondents including the Union of India and the State Government would be considered at a later stage, depending on the materials produced and developments in the next hearing.
The PIL highlighted the alleged failure of the State machinery to conduct effective investigations into at least 32 cases of missing persons and suspected enforced disappearances during the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.
The petitioners have cited multiple orders issued by the MHRC in July 2024, which directed police authorities to keep the families informed of the progress of investigations.
However, according to the petitioners, these directions have not been complied with.
The petition further emphasised that in certain cases, including those cited before the MHRC, police authorities themselves acknowledged the sensitivity of the incidents and recommended transfer to the CBI .
Despite this, no concrete action appears to have been taken so far.
The next hearing will take place on April 29 .
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