SC refuses to interfere with Manipur HC order extending Panchayat polls deadline

New Delhi [India], July 2 : The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea challenging the Manipur High Court order extending the deadline for conducting Panchayat elections in the state until October 16, 2026.
A bench of Justices N Kotiswar Singh and NV Anjaria dismissed the appeal filed by Pheiroijam Heramani and others against the May 19, 2026 judgement of the High Court.
The bench observed that the High Court had already issued a specific direction requiring the State Election Commission to complete the electoral process within the stipulated period.
The appeal was filed seeking a modification of the High Court's earlier directions, which permitted the State and the State Election Commission to conduct Panchayat elections on or before October 16, 2026.
The petitioners contended that the representatives had vacated office in 2022 and that the democratic mandate had lapsed nearly four years ago. It was further submitted that despite repeatedly assuring the courts that elections would be held, the State had failed to conduct them within the timelines it had earlier indicated.
The bench also took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Manipur government, that the State is bound by the directions of the High Court and may be committing contempt if the elections of local bodies are not conducted.
The apex court, dismissing the plea, said that if the State failed to comply with the High Court's directions or acted contrary to law, the petitioners would be at liberty to approach the appropriate forum for relief.