SC Rebukes Manipur HC’s Decision on Tribal Prisoner’s Medical Treatment

The Supreme Court delivered a sharp rebuke to the Manipur High Court’s decision to deny medical treatment outside prison to Lunkhongjam Haokip, an undertrial belonging to a tribal community, citing ongoing ethnic tensions.

Haokip, arrested in October 2022 on charges of possessing two kilograms of brown sugar, had sought treatment beyond prison walls due to a multitude of health issues, including piles, tuberculosis, chronic tonsillitis, abdominal pain, and lower lumbar spine problems. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate transfer of Haokip to Gauhati Medical College & Hospital for necessary medical care. The decision overturned the High Court’s stance, which cited potential hazards amidst ethnic clashes for not allowing Haokip’s transfer outside the prison.

Expressing discontent over the Manipur HC’s handling of the case and the state’s response, the Supreme Court bench refrained from further critique but emphasized the state’s obligation to ensure medical treatment for all prisoners, regardless of the severity of their alleged crimes. This highlighted that Haokip had been examined by a medical officer within the prison, revealing multiple health complications. It underscored the state’s responsibility to provide adequate medical care, stating, “He may be accused of a serious crime, but the state has a duty towards his healthcare.”

The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores broader issues of judicial oversight and humanitarian concerns within India’s legal framework, particularly concerning the rights of prisoners and the management of ethnic tensions affecting legal proceedings.