NEW DELHI: The committee of three ex-judges instituted by the Supreme Court to supervise relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of Manipur violence, on Monday, highlighted the urgency to enhance compensation for the afflicted populace of the state.
This was one of the three key reports presented by the committee headed by former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gital Mittal concerning the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the violent unrest in Manipur.
The findings of the Justice Mittal-led committee emphasised issues like the loss of critical documents, stressing the necessity to elevate the Manipur compensation scheme in accordance with the National Legal Services Authority policy. The bench articulated, “The reports indicate a dire need for re-issuance of vital documents, enhancement of the Manipur victim compensation scheme, and the appointment of a specialized administrative expert.”
The Supreme Court, which has scheduled an order on August 25, is working to ensure smooth operations of the three-member panel. The bench, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, has instructed the distribution of the reports among all the pertinent lawyers. Additionally, advocate Vrinda Grover, representing a victim, has been tasked with assembling suggestions for the committee.
Earlier on August 7, the apex court, while instituting the committee comprising three former women high court judges, had mentioned that it would also manage the distribution of compensation. Former Maharashtra police chief, Dattatray Padsalgikar, was enlisted to oversee the investigation of associated criminal cases.
The bench is currently scrutinising around ten petitions related to the escalating violence, which encompasses requests for a court-supervised inquiry and strategies for relief and rehabilitation.
Apart from Justice Mittal, the committee incorporates Justices (retd) Shalini P Joshi of the Bombay High Court and Asha Menon of the Delhi High Court.
