The Gauhati High Court admitted the application filed by mother and brother of Manorama Devi, who was raped and killed allegedly by Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur, for being impleaded as respondents in the case filed by Assam Rifles. Justice H N Sarmah has issued notice to the Manipur Government and the Assam Rifles on the prayer made by Manorama's mother Thangjam Ongbi Khumahlei Devi and brother Thangjam Dolendra Singh seeking to be made respondents in the case and also for making the Bhupendra Singh Commission Report public.

The Commission had submitted its report on November 11 to the Manipur Government but the Assam Rifles filed a petition challenging the constitution of the one-man Commission in the Gauhati High Court which restrained the state government from making the report public.

Justice Sarmah also issued returnable notices for further direction upon the Manipur government to take necessary steps including criminal prosecution of the persons responsible for the death of Manorama Devi.The Manipur government had filed an application which is still pending with the Gauhati High Court seeking leave from the Court to take action on the basis of the inquiry report.

Manorama Devi's killing last year had sparked off wide-scale disturbances in the state, particularly by women organisations demanding the revoking of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

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