Supreme Court Addresses Concerns Over Lawyers’ Safety Amid Ethnic Violence in Manipur.

Supreme Court Addresses Concerns Over Lawyers' Safety Amid Ethnic Violence in Manipur.

Asif Iqbal | September 22, 2023 | 04:16 PM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law, Manipur | Follow on Google News

Supreme Court Addresses Concerns Over Lawyers’ Safety Amid Ethnic Violence in Manipur.

The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the safety of lawyers appearing before the Manipur High Court amid ethnic violence in the state. This concern arose during the hearing of pleas by two individuals who claimed they were unable to engage lawyers to seek protection from arrest in separate criminal cases against them.

Court’s Observations and Action

The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, stated that if there is substance in the petitioners’ claims, it is indeed a serious matter if lawyers are unable to appear. The bench sought a response from the state government by the next week. The court took up the case of a retired colonel, Vijaykant Chenji, and a professor, Henminlun alias Loon Gangte, both facing charges related to criminal cases.

Lawyer’s Safety Concerns

Senior advocate Anand Grover, representing the two individuals, informed the court that a lawyer scheduled to appear in one of the cases before the Manipur high court had expressed his inability to do so due to safety concerns. Even after withdrawing from the case, the lawyer’s house and office were vandalized, forcing him to seek refuge in a paramilitary camp.

Supreme Court’s Action

The Supreme Court Bar Association had passed a resolution condemning the vandalism at the lawyer’s residence and office. The court, considering these developments, decided to act. It allowed Anand Grover to file an affidavit affirming the facts surrounding the lawyer’s safety and the challenges faced in engaging lawyers for the cases.The court also decided to issue notices on the two petitions and stated that no coercive steps should be taken against the petitioners until the next hearing. It emphasized the need to protect the retired colonel, especially considering his role as a retired army officer.

Government’s Response

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Manipur government, informed the court that the high court is fully functional, and lawyers can appear either physically or virtually. He suggested that the secretary general of the Supreme Court speak to the high court registrar general to obtain a report on the situation.

Police Successfully Tracks and Apprehends Suspect in Brutal Train Attack: Justice Prevails.

Patterns of Concern

The court acknowledged the concerns but noted that there might be a broader pattern at play. Solicitor General Mehta urged the court to examine this pattern and emphasized that the court should protect the petitioner but also consider the emerging pattern of incidents.

Quashing of FIRs and Protection

The court recognized the need to protect the petitioners but clarified that it does not want to convert its proceedings into a forum for quashing FIRs under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). It will decide further action after hearing the state’s response.The retired colonel is facing charges related to waging war against the government, promoting enmity among different communities or groups, and criminal conspiracy, among others. The case against him was registered based on a complaint by a social organization in Imphal, which accused him of distorting history through his book on the Anglo-Kuki War of 1917-19.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s proactive stance in addressing concerns related to lawyers’ safety in Manipur reflects its commitment to upholding the principles of justice and ensuring that individuals have access to legal representation despite challenging circumstances.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.