Manipur Violence: Supreme Court orders State to ensure dignified burial of unclaimed bodies, collect DNA samples

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Manipur government to ensure decent and dignified burial of the unidentified and unclaimed bodies of the persons who were killed during the violence in Manipur..Considering that the violence has been going on since May 2023, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that it would not be appropriate to keep the bodies indefinitely in the mortuaries.Accordingly, the Court directed that the list of identified bodies should be duly intimated to the next of kin and the last rites should be performed with dignity and observance of religious rites of the community It added that DNA samples should be drawn before the burial takes place since the criminal investigation is underway..The Court passed the following seven directions to the State government:All the next of kin of the bodies, which have been identified and claimed, would be permitted to carry out last rites at any of the identified nine burial sites without any interference by any party whatsoever. In order to effectuate the direction, State shall intimate the next of kin about the nine burial sites and this shall be completed on or before next Monday. Regarding unclaimed bodies, the State shall issue another communication to the next of kin that they are at liberty to carry out last rites together with religious rites at any of the burial/cremation site. The State is permitted to carry out the last rites of unidentified bodies with due observance of religious rites. The Collector and Superintendent of Police shall take appropriate steps for the maintenance of law and order. In the event DNA samples are not taken when autopsy was done, State shall ensure drawing of such samples. State can issue a public notice that if bodies are identified and not claimed then state shall carry out last rites as per religious rites..The Court asked the State to take facilitative steps so that next of kin in relief camps can also access the bodies for identification and performance of last rites."We direct the Chief Secretary to take appropriate action accordingly"..The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of pleas related to the ongoing outbreak of violence in Manipur. It had earlier constituted an all-woman judicial committee headed by Justice (retired) Gita Mittal to examine the probe being conducted into the violence..Hearing today.During the hearing today, CJI Chandrachud noted that the committee has informed the Court that 169 of the 175 bodies have been identified.Of the 169 identified dead bodies, 81 have been claimed by next of kin but 88 are yet to be claimed.The Court noted that Manipur Municipalities Act contains guidelines about dealing with unclaimed dead bodies and empowers the State to provide its own funds for their free burial or cremation.In the context, the Court recorded that the State has identified nine burial sites and given the relatives a choice to choose one..Manipur High Court directs State to lift mobile internet ban in areas untouched by violence.During the hearing, the Solicitor General (SG) of India Tushar Mehta who was representing the State and Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves representing the Manipur Tribal Forum, had an argument over the place of burial of the dead bodies.Gonsalves told Mehta to "stop bullying us the tribals". "You are the State.. the assailants in this case," Gonsalves said.The senior lawyer also submitted that the petitioners wanted to bury the bodies in a mass grave as per Kuki traditionIn response, Mehta said, "See that is the problem... I am not bullying tribals but I know for whom you are appearing here."He added that certain groups were threatening the next of kin who wanted to take their family member's body. "This court must direct that nobody threatens them and if they do then police will take action," the SG said.CJI Chandrachud also seemed to agree with the State and pointed out that Justice Mittal committee had also stated that certain coffins were placed outside the office of district collector.After the order was pronounced, SG Mehta again had a heated argument with Gonsalves after the Forum's counsel said, "Have some shame solicitor.. why are you aggressive with the victims""My friend should understand that he is not in Jantar mantar... I know what is his problem.. that is the problem," Mehta said in response..During the hearing of the matter on August 1, the Court had castigated the authorities and the State Police over their apparent failure to control the law and order situation that unfolded in Manipur.The Court has tasked the committee headed by Justice Mittal with examining the ongoing probes and suggesting remedial measures, compensation and rehabilitation, among other things. Read live updates from today's hearing below.