Manipur High Court keeps Census 2027 on hold amid concerns over displaced persons, population records

The Manipur High Court has directed that the Census 2027 exercise in the State remain suspended until April 30, 2027, while the Central government considers representations raising concerns over the exercise amid the prevailing situation in the State [KSA Vs Union of India].

A Division Bench of Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma directed the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to consider seven representations and pass a reasoned order by April 30, 2027.

The Court ordered that the notifications keeping the Census exercise in abeyance should continue to operate without modification until that date.

"To put it differently, the census exercise for the State of Manipur will continue to be put on hold/kept in abeyance till 30.04.2027," the Bench said.

The Court further directed that the Census exercise remain suspended for four weeks after the authorities decide the representations, allowing aggrieved parties to challenge the decision.

The November 4 judgment came in a public interest litigation filed by the Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), along with a connected petition filed by one Shanta Singh Nahakpam.

The petitioners had raised concerns over conducting the Census amid the displacement of residents following ethnic violence in Manipur.

Their representations raised questions about the accuracy of population records, the identification of internally displaced persons and the implications of conducting the exercise without addressing these issues.

The proceedings also referred to resolutions unanimously passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 5, 2022 and March 1, 2024, seeking the introduction and enforcement of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

During earlier hearings, the petitioners sought postponement of the Census until their concerns were addressed.

On August 31, the Central government informed the High Court that it had decided to defer house-listing operations for Census 2027 in Manipur.

The State government also undertook not to commence the exercise scheduled for September 1, 2026.

Subsequently, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner issued notifications dated September 5 and October 30 concerning the postponement.

Taking note of these developments, the Court recorded that the Census exercise had already been placed on hold.

It further noted a consensus among the parties that larger public interest would be served by considering the representations before proceeding with the exercise.

The Bench accordingly directed the Census Commissioner to examine seven representations on their merits and dispose of them through a common reasoned order.

"Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the matter, larger public interest and national interest involved, this Court deems it appropriate to place on record its appreciation for all counsel, senior counsel, learned Advocate General and learned DSGI for taking a very fair and balanced approach to the matter without treating the same like a regular adversarial legal drill," the Bench added.

It permitted other individuals and organisations, including the petitioners, to submit additional representations until November 25, 2026.

The authorities were also permitted to conduct public consultations. Further, any decision against holding consultations would have to be supported by reasons, the Court said.

The final order must be communicated to the petitioners' lawyers within five working days and uploaded to the official websites of the Manipur government and the Census Commissioner.

The Court clarified that parties dissatisfied with the decision could approach the High Court, which would examine their grievances independently.

The petitions were disposed of accordingly.

Senior Advocate Kh Tarunkumar appeared for the PIL petitioners. Advocate Hijam Chandrakumar Singh represented a connected petitioner.

Senior Advocate and Deputy Solicitor General Kh Samarjit represented the Centre.

Senior Advocate and Manipur Advocate General Lenin Hijam appeared for the State.

[Read Judgment]