WP(C) No. 457 of 2025 Suppl.-1 Item No. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL WP(C) No. 457 of 2025 Wangkhemcha Shamjai. …Petitioner - Versus - State of Manipur & Anr. …Respondents B E F O R E HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA O R D E R 13-06-2025 [1] Heard Mr. A. Gautam Sharma, learned counsel along with Mr. Yoihenba Dhruva Aribam, learned counsel for the petitioner. [2] By the present petition, the petitioner has challenged the order dated 07-06-2025 issued by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur imposing ban of internet and mobile data services including VSAT and VPN services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching & Bishnupur districts of the State of Manipur for 5 (five) days with effect from 11:45 P.M. of 07-06-2025 except for those cases whereby State Government exempts and allows for whitelisting. The said order was issued in exercise of Rule 2 of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. [3] It is stated that Rules of 2017 has been superseded by Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024. It is stated that the impugned order under the said rule is illegal. The prayer is NINGOM BAM VICTORIA Digitally signed by NINGOMBAM VICTORIA Date: 2025.06.13 16:09:06 +05'30' WP(C) No. 457 of 2025 reproduced as follows:— “In view of the above facts and circumstances set out in the Petition, the Petitioner humbly prays that Your Lordship may graciously be pleased: (i) To admit this Writ Petition and issue rule nisi; (ii) To declare that the Order No. H-3607/4/2022-HD-HD(Pt) dated 07-06- 2025 issued by the Respondent No. 2 was unconstitutional and illegal as being violative of Article 21; (iii) To issue a Writ of Mandamus OR/AND any other appropriate Writ(s) quashing and setting aside the Order No. H-3607/4/2022-HD-HD(Pt) dated 07-06-2025 (ANNEXURE-A/2) issued by the Respondent No. 2 and to issue Writ of Mandamus OR/AND any other appropriate writs quashing and setting aside any subsequent similar orders suspending internet services in certain areas/districts of the State of Manipur, which are not in accordance with the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the Hon’ble High Court of Manipur, that the Respondents may issue before or after the expiry of the time period stipulated in the Order dated 07/06/2025, during the pendency of this Writ Petition; (iv) To direct the Respondent No. 2 to whitelist the mobile number of the Petitioner in terms of para 4 of the Order dated 07/06/2025 or in the event of suspension of internet services in which whitelisted mobile numbers are exempted. (v) To direct the Respondents to follow and strictly adhere to the directions given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India [(2020) 3 SCC 637] and by the Hon’ble High Court of Manipur in PIL No. 25 of 2023 and connected cases; (vi) To direct the Respondents/concerned authorities to publish all Orders pertaining to suspension of internet services in the State of Manipur including those Orders passed by the Review Committee in review on widely circulated newspapers of Manipur and upload the same on the official website of the State of Manipur: https://manipur.gov.in/; (vii) To direct the Respondents to operationalize the towers providing mobile internet services in those area/districts of the State of Manipur which are not affected by violence; (viii) To call for records of the Review Committee constituted under Rule 5 of WP(C) No. 457 of 2025 the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 and to judicially review the order, if any, passed by the Review Committee constituted under the Rules and to quash and set aside the orders passed by the Review Committee if such orders are not found to be in conformity with legal principles; (ix) To pass any further Order(s) as the Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper for the ends of justice.” [4] At this stage, Mr. H. Debendra, learned Dy. Advocate General assisted by Mr. A. Bheigya Meitei, learned counsel for the respondents, submits that the impugned order dated 07-06-2025 has been superseded by another order dated 12-06-2025 issued by the Commissioner-cum- Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur withdrawing the ban of internet and mobile data services in 5 (five) districts with effect from 6:00 A.M. of 13-06-2025. It is submitted that the matter has become infructuous and may be closed. [5] Mr. A. Gautam Sharma, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the prayer No. (viii) of the writ petition for examining the Review Committee decision under Rule 5 of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 still survives and notice may be issued on this prayer only. [6] This Court is of the opinion that since the impugned order has already been revoked, it may not be proper to issue notice. However, the question of law that arises is left open to be adjudicated in appropriate proceedings. [7] With this observation, the writ petition is closed as infructuous leaving the question of law open. JUDGE Victoria