SC rejects PIL seeking SIT probe into narco-cultivation, illegal immigration in Manipur

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an engineer, MB Meetei, seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into narco-cultivation and illegal immigration in Manipur, on Monday, July 31.

According to reports, a three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressed concerns about the potential stigmatization of a specific community in Manipur as terrorists and chose not to pursue the case. Senior advocate Madhavi Goradia Divan, representing the petitioner, withdrew the PIL following the Bench’s response, resulting in the court dismissing it as withdrawn.

Despite this, the Bench emphasised that the petitioner was free to explore other legal remedies. The court further highlighted that the petition appeared challenging to entertain, as it attributed blame to one community and covered a wide range of issues, from violence and narcotics to deforestation. The Bench advised the petitioner to consider filing a more specific petition.

The plea raised concerns about cross-border terrorism and poppy cultivation in Manipur, attributing them to recent instances of violence in the state. Various entities, including the Narcotics Control Bureau, National Investigation Agency, NHRC, and the state government, were named as parties in the plea. The Supreme Court is currently handling multiple petitions addressing different aspects of the situation surrounding Manipur violence.