Supreme Court says Manipur High Court will get a new Chief Justice soon; refuses to intervene in internet ban case

The Supreme Court on July 6 refrained from intervening in a petition challenging the “mechanical and repeated shutdown” of internet services in Manipur

The Supreme Court on July 6 refrained from intervening in a petition challenging the “mechanical and repeated shutdown” of internet services in Manipur, noting that a Division Bench of the Manipur High Court is already hearing the issue and has constituted an expert committee on June 27 to examine the possibility of providing limited internet to the public.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud said the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended a new Chief Justice for the Manipur High Court and the judge would be in the saddle very soon.

Delhi High Court judge Justice Siddharth Mridul was proposed by the Supreme Court Collegium on July 5 for appointment as Manipur Chief Justice.

The Bench advised the petitioner, advocate Chongtham Victor Singh, to either intervene in the ongoing proceedings in the High Court or file an independent petition there. The case is listed for hearing in the High Court on July 6.

Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for Mr. Singh, said the High Court has not looked into the “proportionality” of such repeated and blanket ban orders and has simply left it to the State government or the committee to find a resolution.

He said that internet ban orders have been passed like clockwork in the past 65 days in the State, which has been rocked by violent clashes between the dominant Meitei community and the Kuki and Zomi tribes.

On June 27, the High Court Division Bench had constituted the expert committee to “find a solution to provide limited internet services to the public by blocking social media networks”.