New Delhi – The Supreme Court of India has extended the Justice Gita Mittal committee’s mandate by six months to continue its role in overseeing relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of the ethnic violence in Manipur.
This extension, decided by a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, follows the expiration of the committee’s initial term on July 15. The extension aims to ensure sustained oversight and management of the ongoing crisis.
Formed on August 7 of the previous year, the committee monitors relief operations, victim compensation, and investigations into the violence. It is led by Justice Gita Mittal, the former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, and includes Justice Shalini P Joshi, a former Bombay High Court Judge, and Justice Asha Menon, a former Delhi High Court Judge.
The committee’s formation came after the Supreme Court condemned shocking footage of women being paraded naked, which underscored the severity of the violence that began on May 3, 2023, following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March.’ This violence, sparked by opposition to the Meitei community’s push for Scheduled Tribe status, has resulted in over 200 deaths, numerous injuries, and widespread displacement.
Additionally, former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar has been appointed to monitor the progress of criminal investigations. The committee continues to report directly to the Supreme Court, which remains actively involved in managing the crisis.