Manipur Violence: Supreme Court Extends Tenure of Justice Gita Mittal Committee Till July 2026

Introduction

In a significant development concerning the ongoing humanitarian crisis arising from the Manipur ethnic violence, the Supreme Court of India has extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee till 31 July 2026. The committee, originally constituted in August 2023, was tasked with addressing the humanitarian, rehabilitative, and gender-specific concerns stemming from the violence that erupted in the State in May 2023.

The extension underscores the Court’s continued supervision over relief and rehabilitation efforts in Manipur, particularly with respect to violence against women, conditions in relief camps, medical and psychological care for survivors, and compensation to victims.

Background: Ethnic Violence in Manipur

Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic violence since 4 May 2023, resulting in widespread displacement, destruction of property, and grave allegations of sexual violence against women. Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, leading to the establishment of multiple relief camps across the State.

Given the scale of humanitarian suffering and allegations of systemic failure, the Supreme Court stepped in to ensure accountability and protection of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

Constitution of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee

In August 2023, a three-member committee was constituted by a bench comprising then CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra. The committee consists of:

Justice Gita Mittal – Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir (Chairperson)
Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi – Former Judge, Bombay High Court
Justice Asha Menon – Former Judge, Delhi High Court

The committee was mandated to independently oversee and report on the humanitarian aspects of the Manipur violence, functioning as an institutional mechanism to bridge gaps between State action and constitutional obligations.

Supreme Court Order Extending the Tenure

On 28 January 2026, a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi extended the tenure of the committee till 31 July 2026.

Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija, appearing as amicus curiae, informed the Court that the committee’s tenure had expired in July 2025. She further submitted that:

The committee has submitted 42 reports on various aspects of the crisis so far
Several additional reports are currently in the pipeline

Taking note of the substantial work already undertaken and the continuing nature of the humanitarian issues, the Court passed the following order:

“Continuation of the committee from July 2025 is regularised. The Committee is granted further time till 31st July 2026.”

This order effectively regularises the committee’s functioning for the intervening period and authorises its continued oversight.

Scope and Mandate of the Committee

The Justice Gita Mittal Committee has a wide-ranging and victim-centric mandate, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation. Its key responsibilities include:

1. Inquiry into Violence Against Women

The committee is specifically tasked with enquiring into the nature and extent of sexual and gender-based violence that occurred during the Manipur ethnic clashes.

2. Survivor-Centric Rehabilitation Measures

It must recommend steps to address the medical, psychological, social, and economic needs of survivors, including:

Trauma counselling
Psychological rehabilitation
Social reintegration

3. Medical and Psychological Care

Ensuring free and comprehensive medical and mental health care for survivors of violence forms a core part of the mandate.

4. Conditions in Relief Camps

The committee examines whether relief camps uphold conditions of dignity, including:

Adequate sanitation
Privacy for women and children
Availability of medical facilities
It may also suggest the establishment of additional camps where necessary.

5. Compensation to Victims

Another crucial function is to monitor the disbursement of compensation to:

Victims of sexual violence
Victims of other forms of violence
Next of kin of deceased persons

Judicial Oversight and Humanitarian Governance

The extension of the committee highlights the Supreme Court’s evolving role in humanitarian governance, especially in situations where executive responses are alleged to be inadequate.

Rather than adjudicating individual criminal liability, the Court has adopted a structural and supervisory approach, ensuring:

Transparency
Accountability
Victim-centric policy formulation

Such committees serve as fact-finding and monitoring bodies, enabling the Court to issue informed directions without encroaching upon executive functions.

Significance of the Extension

The extension till July 2026 is significant for several reasons:

Continuity: It ensures uninterrupted monitoring of relief and rehabilitation efforts
Accountability: Ongoing reporting keeps State authorities answerable
Victim Confidence: Survivors are assured that their grievances remain under judicial scrutiny
Data-Driven Interventions: The committee’s reports provide an empirical basis for policy and judicial directions

Given that the violence has had long-term social and psychological consequences, short-term oversight would have been insufficient.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to extend the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee till July 2026 reflects a sustained constitutional commitment to human dignity, gender justice, and victim rehabilitation in Manipur.

With 42 reports already submitted and more expected, the committee has emerged as a crucial institutional mechanism addressing one of India’s most serious humanitarian crises in recent years. The extension reinforces the message that judicial concern does not end with the cessation of violence, but continues until meaningful rehabilitation and justice are achieved.

As Manipur continues its slow path towards normalcy, the committee’s work will remain central to ensuring that relief measures are not merely symbolic but translate into real, on-ground impact for survivors.