[Cites 1, Cited by 0]
Manipur High Court
Soram Tekendrajit And Another vs Union Of India And 4 Others on 20 March, 2026
Author: A.Guneshwar Sharma
Bench: A.Guneshwar Sharma
Digitally signed by
SHAMURAILATPA SHAMURAILATPAM SUSHIL
M SUSHIL SHARMA SHARMA
Date: 2026.03.20 19:00:16 +05'30' Sl. Nos. 4-5
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR
AT IMPHAL
PIL No. 17 of 2025
Soram Tekendrajit and another
Petitioners
Vs.
Union of India and 4 others
Respondents
With MC(PIL) No. 2 of 2026
BEFORE
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. M. SUNDAR
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.GUNESHWAR SHARMA
ORDER
(Order of the court was made by M. Sundar, CJ)
20.03.2026
[1] Read this in conjunction with and in continuation of earlier
proceedings made in the previous listing on 27.02.2026 which reads as
follows :
'27.02.2026
[1] Captioned Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has
been filed by 2 (two) residents of Imphal inter-alia seeking
direction qua installation of removal garbage container bins at
appropriate places in and around Imphal city in accordance with
the 'Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules,
2000' ('said Rules' for convenience).
[2] In the hearing today, Mr. Kh. Tarunkumar,
learned senior advocate instructed by Mr. M. Rustam, learned
counsel on record for 2 (two) writ petitioners, Mr. BR Sharma,
learned CGC (Central Government Counsel) for R1, Mr.
Phungyo Zingkhai, learned State Counsel for R2 and R3 led by
Mr. Athouba Khaidem, learned senior advocate and Mr. H.
Maipakasana, learned Standing Counsel for Imphal Municipal
Corporation led by Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior advocate
for R4 and R5 are before this Court.
[3] PIL petitioners have placed 2 (two) photographs
taken at 9.20 A.M. this morning, one at Cheirap Court Complex
and another in Uripok Kangchup Road near BT Flyover. To be
noted, these photographs have been taken with GPS (Global
Positioning System) Map Cameras and scanned reproduction of
these photographs are as follows :
[4] Mr. Tarunkumar submits that R1 has been added
as a respondent as in some cases fund crunch is being projected
by the State and therefore, R1 has been included in the array of
respondents but fund crunch issue has not come to the fore and
therefore, this issue will be considered later if it arises. As
regards R2 and R3, Mr. Athouba Khaidem, learned senior
advocate, on instructions, submits that said Rules are operative
and it is binding inter-alia on Imphal Municipal Corporation
which is a Municipal authority within the meaning of said Rules
and more particularly Rule 3(xiv) thereat.
[5] A suggestion was also made that enforcement is
necessary in the light of Section 34 of Police Act, 1861.
[6] This Court is of the considered view that adequate
bins have to be first installed before we go to the arena of
enforcement.
[7] In this regard, Mr. Athouba Khaidem, on
instructions, submits that large number of bins have been
acquired/purchased/procured by the State Government and the
same have been given to Imphal Municipal Corporation.
[8] Mr. Nirmolchand submits that he has a report at
hand and that his instructing counsel will place the report before
this Court inter-alia giving details of number of bins, number of
places where the bins have been placed, the total area under
Imphal Municipal Corporation, the ideal number of bins qua said
Rules details of bins to be installed/time frame and other details.
After this report under a suitable affidavit is placed before this
Court, the matter will be considered in greater detail.
[9] List under the caption 'FOR REPORT' on
20.03.2026.'
[2] In the hearing today, Mr. Kh. Tarunkumar, learned senior
advocate instructed by Mr. M. Rustam, learned counsel on record for 2
(two) writ petitioners, Mr. BR Sharma, learned CGC (Central Government
Counsel) for R1, Mr. Phungyo Zingkhai, learned State Counsel for R2 and
R3 led by Mr. Athouba Khaidem, learned senior advocate and Mr. Y.
Nikhil, learned Standing Counsel for Imphal Municipal Corporation led by
Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior advocate for R4 and R5 are before
this Court.
[3] Adverting to paragraph 8 of afore-referred proceedings
made in the previous listing, Mr. Y. Nirmolchand, learned senior advocate
instructed by Mr. Y. Nikhil, learned Standing Counsel for Imphal Municipal
Corporation (R4 and R5) submits that installation of bins {2 (two) twin
bins, 1 (one) for wet wastes and another for dry wastes)} is underway
and learned counsel requests for further time to file affidavit/report as
set out in paragraph 8 of previous proceedings dated 27.02.2026. To be
noted, learned senior counsel, on instructions, submits that there are 27
(twenty-seven) Wards in all Imphal Municipal Corporation.
[4] Learned Standing Counsel for Imphal Municipal Corporation
requests for 2 (two) weeks time to file afore-referred affidavit/report.
[5] Request acceded to.
[6] List after a fortnight.
[7] List on 07.04.2026.
JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE
Sushil
