New Delhi, January 28, 2026: The Supreme Court of India has extended the tenure of the Justice Gita Mittal Committee, the apex court-appointed panel overseeing relief, rehabilitation, and compensation for victims of the ethnic violence in Manipur, until July 31, 2026. The extension reaffirms the Supreme Court's continued oversight of humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts in the violence-affected state.
The order was passed on Wednesday by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi after it was brought to the court's attention that the committee's tenure had technically expired in July 2025 without a formal extension. The Bench observed that the continuation of the committee's work would now be regularised through the latest order, allowing it to continue carrying out its mandate uninterrupted until July 31, 2026.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the three-member committee has submitted 42 reports to the Supreme Court since its constitution. These reports have covered various aspects relating to relief and rehabilitation, including the assessment of relief camps, rehabilitation measures, compensation for victims, and other issues arising from the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur.
The Justice Gita Mittal Committee was constituted by the Supreme Court on August 7, 2023, in the aftermath of the widespread ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023. The decision to establish the panel came after the emergence of disturbing incidents of violence, including a viral video that the Supreme Court had described as "deeply disturbing," prompting the court to initiate close judicial monitoring of relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The committee is headed by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Its other members include retired High Court judges Justice Shalini P. Joshi and Justice Asha Menon, both of whom have extensive judicial experience. The panel has been entrusted with supervising relief and rehabilitation measures for those affected by the violence and has been authorised to submit its findings and recommendations directly to the Supreme Court.
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In addition to the rehabilitation panel, the apex court had appointed former Maharashtra Director General of Police Dattatray Padsalgikar to oversee and monitor investigations into criminal cases arising out of the ethnic violence. His role includes supervising the progress of investigations and ensuring accountability in cases related to the conflict.
The latest extension underscores the Supreme Court's continued commitment to monitoring relief, rehabilitation, and justice-related processes in Manipur. By extending the committee's tenure, the court has ensured that independent oversight of rehabilitation efforts will continue as authorities work towards restoring normalcy and addressing the needs of thousands of people affected by the violence.
The committee is expected to continue submitting periodic reports to the Supreme Court as rehabilitation and compensation efforts progress in the state.
