SC SEEKS MANIPUR RESPONSE ON PLEA OVER PERMIT LINES

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted eight weeks to the Manipur government to respond to a plea challenging the system of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.

- Press Trust of India

Manipur is the fourth state after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where the ILP regime is applicable. To visit ILP-regime states, outsiders, including people from other states of the country, need permission.

A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti gave time to Manipur after the counsel for the state government sought time. The top court on January 3, 2022 had issued notices to the Centre and the Manipur government and others on a plea filed by an organisation called "Amra Bangalee".

The plea contended that the ILP provides unrestrained power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous people or those who are not permanent residents of Manipur. The plea has also challenged the Manipur Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2019. It stated that the 2019 order violates fundamental rights of citizens.

While Chidambaram, in the Aircel-Maxis case, has been accused of illegally granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval as the Union finance minister during the UPA government, Kejriwal has been charge sheeted by ED over his alleged involvement in the formu lation and execution of the Delhi excise policy 2021-22, which was later scrapped over allegations of irregularities and corruption. Both leaders have denied the charges.