THE Supreme Court said on Friday it cannot go by sentiments and has to act in accordance with law, as it refused to entertain a petition seeking contempt action for alleged non-compliance with the apex court’s order on protection of properties of people displaced during the Manipur violence. A vacation bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal said it was not satisfied with the contention that a case of contempt was made out against the respondents, including the Chief Secretary of Manipur, and the petitioners can take recourse to remedy which may be available under the law. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for Manipur, told the bench that no case of contempt was made out, and the State Government and the Centre were on the ground doing everything they can to assuage public concerns.

 

“The effort is to keep the pot boiling which is very unfortunate,” Bhati said, adding that the State was duty bound to protect all and can file an updated status report on the issue. The top court was hearing a petition claiming the respondents had committed contempt of its September 25 last year order on protecting the properties of those displaced during the ethnic conflict. “Who according to you are in contempt?” the bench asked the petitioner’s counsel who said the Chief Secretary and others are. “They are not the encroachers,” the bench shot back. When the advocate said the petitioners are living outside Manipur and are not in a position to go anywhere near Imphal, the bench said, “That does not mean that notice be issued against Chief Secretary”. Bhati referred to the September 25 last year order which said the State of Manipur and the Centre are given one week to respond to the directions, including on ensuring protection of properties of displaced persons and preventing their encroachment. “We had filed a status report. We can file an updated status report,” she said, adding the state was duty bound to protect its citizens and their properties.