The Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday reiterated its recommendation to transfer Manipur High Court judge Justice M V Muralidaran to the Calcutta High Court to enhance the administration of justice. This decision comes after rejecting his appeals either to be transferred to his parent Madras High Court or not to be transferred at all.
Justice Muralidharan had previously, on March 27, ordered the Manipur government to consider a representation by a Meitei organization seeking scheduled tribe status. This decision was a contributing factor to ongoing ethnic conflicts in the state, particularly between the Meiteis in the valley and the Kuki and other tribals residing in the hills.
Justice Muralidharan had directed the state government to assess the representation for ST status for the majority Meitei community and communicate with the Centre within four weeks. The collegium, consisting of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, and Surya Kant, has now declined Justice Muralidaran’s requests for alternative transfers or to remain in the High Court of Manipur.
The collegium followed the Memorandum of Procedure and consulted with a Supreme Court judge knowledgeable about the affairs of the High Court of Manipur. Despite considering Justice Muralidaran’s pleas, the collegium did not find merit in them. Consequently, the collegium reaffirms its earlier recommendation, dated October 9, 2023, to transfer Justice M V Muralidaran to the High Court in Calcutta.
