2026:MNHC:140-DB Sl. No.1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL PIL No.11 of 2026. Shri. Ayekpam Keshorjit Singh aged about 48 years S/o Late A. Kunjo Singh, Resident of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai, P.O. Imphal & PS Singjamei, Imphal West District, Manipur-795001. …..Petitioner -Versus- 1. The Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and its Office address at Krishi Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001. 2. The State of Manipur through the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur and its Office at New Secretariat Building, Mantripukhri, Imphal West, Manipur-795001. 3. The Commissioner/Secretary(Agriculture), Government of Manipur and its Office at New Secretariat Building, Mantripukhri, B.P.O.-High Court of Manipur & PS- Heingang, District-Imphal East, Manipur. 4. The Director General of Police, Manipur and its Office at New Police Head Quarter, Mantripukhri, Imphal East, Manipur-795002 5. The Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and its Office address at Sanjenthong, Imphal, Manipur-795001. ` ….Respondents 6. Shri. Ningthoujam Gojendro, the then Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, aged about 51 years S/o Late Ningthoujam Gambhir Singh, a resident of 2026:MNHC:140-DB Sapam Leirak Nongmaithem Mamang Leikai, PO-Imphal, PS- Lamphel, District-Imphal West, Manipur. 7. Shri Akoijam Bowjit, the then Nodal Officer PMKSY, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, aged about 64 years, S/o Late Akoijam Mangi, a resident of Mahabali Mamang Meitei Leikai, PO-Imphal, PS- Porompat, District-Imphal East, Manipur. 8. Shri Chingakham Maniratan Singh, aged about 58 years, S/o Chingakham Paka Singh, a resident of Kwakeithel Nganapi Thong Mapal, PO & PS- Imphal, District-Imphal West, Manipur and now serving as S.O.(In-Charge), Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and 9. Smt. Rajkumari Gitarani Devi, aged about 41 years W/O Khangembam Playtoni Meetei. A resident of Khurai Soibam Leikai, Near Citizen Club, PO & PS-Porompat District- Imphal East, Manipur and now serving as Computer Operator, PMKSY, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Manipur. ….Private Respondents BEFORE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. M. SUNDAR HON’BLE MR JUSTICE A. GUNESHWAR SHARMA JUDGEMENT & ORDER (Oral) 28.07.2026 [1] The following abbreviations/short forms have been used in this order (for the sake of brevity, convenience and clarity): Sl. No. Abbreviation/Short Form/other short references Full Form/Expansion 1. PiL Public Interest Litigation 2 RTI Right to Information 2026:MNHC:140-DB 3. RTI Act The Right to Information Act, 2005 (22 of 2005) 4. PMKSY Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 5. R1, R2,R3, etc. It denotes respondent No.1, respondent No.2, respondent No.3 and similar abbreviations have been used for other respondents also. 6. said representation Representation dated 29.12.2025 sent by PiL petitioner to R4 and received by the office of R4 on 30.12.2025. [2] Captioned matter is listed under the cause list caption ‘MOTION PIL’. [3] Mr. Ajoy Pebam, learned counsel on record for PiL petitioner is before this Court (physical Court). [4] In the hearing today, it comes to light from the case file and submissions of the learned counsel that the PiL petitioner describes himself as a social activist and he has filed captioned PiL in this Court on 23.07.2026 with a prayer for direction to State to constitute/appoint an competent agency to conduct investigation into allegations of misuse of funds to the tune of 180.27 crores qua PMKSY. [5] At the outset, learned counsel for PiL petitioner submits that there is no reply to said representation. To be noted, a scanned reproduction of said representation dated 29.12.2025 as placed before this Court (P/5 of the paper book) is as follows: 2026:MNHC:140-DB 2026:MNHC:140-DB 2026:MNHC:140-DB 2026:MNHC:140-DB 2026:MNHC:140-DB 2026:MNHC:140-DB [6] Issue notice to official respondents. [7] Mr. Boboy Potsangbam, learned CGSC (Central Government Standing Counsel) accepts notice for R1. Ms. Jyotsana Devi, learned State counsel accepts notice for R2 to R5 and Mr. M. Devananda, learned senior advocate and learned Additional Advocate General (.Addl.AG) for State of Manipur appears on her behalf. 2026:MNHC:140-DB [8] Learned State counsel for R1 submits that as regards captioned PiL, R1 is more in the nature of formal party as R1 is concerned with putting in place PMKSY and implementation is in the domain of State Government. [9] As regards R2 to R5, learned Addl. AG on instructions, adverting to the paper book of the PiL petitioner, submits that the PiL petitioner has taken the RTI route by making a RTI application dated 27.10.2025 under RTI Act and obtained replies to 3(three) queries vide reply dated 02.04.2026. To be noted, scanned reproduction of RTI reply as placed before this Court by PiL petitioner is as follows: 2026:MNHC:140-DB [10] Learned Addl. AG, adverting to afore-referred RTI reply submits that the RTI reply has been obtained by PiL petitioner post said representation. To be noted, as already alluded to supra, said representation dated 29.12.2025 addressed to R4 and has been received by the office of R4 on 30.12.2025 but the RTI reply is dated 02.04.2026 (though PiL petitioner is RTI querist and the RTI application is dated 27.10.2025). Learned Addl. AG submitted, on instructions, that if the PiL petitioner makes a further representation qua said representation, the further representation which will be predicated on the RTI reply will be treated as ‘addenda’ to said representation, the same (said presentation and further representation) will be 2026:MNHC:140-DB considered on its own merits in accordance with law and dispose of said representation, necessary legal action (if deemed necessary by R4) permissible in law will be initiated. [11] In aforesaid scenario, learned counsel for PiL petitioner de- scoped the prayer in captioned PiL, limited it and submitted that it will suffice if said representation/further representation are disposed of on its own merits in accordance with law. [12] Both sides agreed to the aforesaid course and agreed to have a consent order in this regard subject only to a time frame/cap for R4 to dispose of said representation. Therefore, captioned PIL (main matter) was taken up in the admission Board itself with the consent of learned counsel on record for PiL petitioner and learned State counsel. In this regard, this Court is acutely conscious that R6 to R9 are private respondents and captioned PiL is being disposed of in the admission Board itself, which means R6 to R9 are not put on notice. Therefore, it is made clear that all the rights and contentions of R6 to R9 stand preserved. This order will not impact the rights and contentions of R6 to R9 in any manner. Likewise, it is made clear that while said representation and further representation are taken up by R4, adequate and ample opportunity shall be given to private respondents (R6 to R9) and the stand point of R6 to R9 (their response to said representation and further representation) shall be duly considered on its own merits and in accordance with law untrammeled by instant order. It is in this context that this Court deems it appropriate to write that this order does not express any view or opinion on the merits of the matter much less on the allegations qua 2026:MNHC:140-DB illegalities/irregularities in PMKSY. As all the rights and contentions of R6 to R9 remain protected/preserved and also untrammeled by instant order and as private respondents R6 to R9 will get an opportunity to respond to said representation and further representation when R4 examines the said representation and further representation, there is no impediment in disposing of the captioned PIL by dispensing with notice to private respondents and making instant innocuous consent order. As regards opportunity to private respondents (R6 to R9), we make it clear that it need not necessarily be a personal hearing qua R4, we deem it appropriate to write that R4 shall requisition comments/response of R6 to R9 qua said representation as well as further representation, take into account the response of R6 to R9 and then make any orders, obviously on the merits of the said representation/further representation and response of R6 to R9 and in accordance with law. [13] In the light of the discussions thus far, the following order is made; (a) PiL petitioner shall now send a further representation to R4 inter-alia capturing essentials of afore-referred RTI reply dated 02.04.2026 and this shall be done by PiL petitioner within a fortnight from today i.e., on or before 11.08.2026; (b) after receipt of further representation, adverted to supra, R4 shall take up said representation and further representation together, requisition comments/views/viewpoints/response of R6 to R9, consider said representation/further representation as well as the response/views of R6 to R9 and make an order on its own 2026:MNHC:140-DB merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as the official business of R4 would permit but in any event within 8(eight) weeks from 11.08.2026 i.e., on or before 06.10.2026; (c) the disposal of said representation/further representation by R4 in the aforesaid manner shall be communicated to PiL petitioner as well as each of the private respondents (R6 to R9) under due acknowledgement within 7(seven) working days from the date of disposal; (d) if PiL petitioner or private respondents R6 to R9 and/or any other individual concerned with the matter is not satisfied or aggrieved by the disposal of said representation/further representation by R4, it is open to such person to either come to this Court or approach any other appropriate legal fora as permissible in law. If such scenario unfurls, this Court and/or any other legal fora shall consider the matter on its own merits and in accordance with law untrammeled by instant order. [14] Captioned PiL is disposed of as closed in the aforesaid manner albeit with afore-referred directions/observations and preservation of rights and contentions. There shall be no order as to costs. JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE John Kom P.S. I : Upload forthwith. P.S. II : All concerned will stand bound by web copy uploaded in High Court website inter- alia as the same is QR coded. JOHN TELEN KOM Digitally signed by JOHN TELEN KOM Date: 2026.07.28 18:17:08 +05'30'