Manipur Violence | Supreme Court Expresses Disappointment Over Non-Payment Of Expenses To Justice Gita Mittal Committee

The Supreme Court today expressed disappointment that members of the three-judge committee constituted in the Manipur violence cases have not received any reimbursement towards travelling and boarding expenses so far, and directed immediate release of funds.

The three-member committee comprises Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, former judge of the Bombay High Court, and Justice Asha Menon, former judge of the Delhi High Court.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi directed release of Rs 12 lakhs to Justice Gita Mittal and Rs 10 lakhs each to Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi and Justice Asha Menon towards travelling and boarding expenses. It stated that the honorarium payable to them will be fixed separately.

“We are disappointed to know that no reimbursement towards their travelling or boarding expenditure has been made so far. We deem it appropriate to direct as an interim measure to release a sum of Rs. 12 lakhs to Justice Gita Mittal and Rs. 10 lakhs each to Justice Shalini Joshi and Asha Menon towards estimated expenditure incurred so far or likely to be incurred in future towards travelling boarding and lodging. As far as the honorarium is concerned we will fix it separately.”

The Court also directed release of Rs 10 lakhs to Dattatray Padsalgikar, former Director General of Police of Maharashtra, who monitors investigations by the CBI and the Manipur Police in cases arising out of the violence.

“Similarly, sum of Rs. 10 lakh be also released to Mr. Dattatray Padsalgikar, the former Director General of Police, State of Maharashtra”, the Court held.

On August 7, 2023, the Supreme Court constituted the three-member committee to recommend measures for medical and psychological care, dignity in relief camps and compensation, including monetary compensation through NALSA and SALSA.

On the same day, it appointed Dattatray Padsalgikar to supervise investigations conducted by the CBI and the state police. He was authorised to take officers on deputation for constituting SITs, visit relief camps and enforce safeguards in sexual offence cases.

Case no. – Diary No. 19206 / 2023

Case Title – Dinganglung Gangmei v. Mutum Churamani Meetei