With ethnic violence cases piling up, Justice Sundar’s tenure will test his ability to restore faith in the judiciary and heal Manipur’s deep divisions.
By PC Bureau
September 14, 2025: — The President of India has appointed Justice M. Sundar, the second senior-most judge of the Madras High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. He will assume office on September 14, 2025, following the retirement of Chief Justice Kempaiah Somashekar.
The appointment, approved by the Central Government, is based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium dated September 11. Justice Sundar becomes the latest in a line of judges from the Madras High Court to head the Manipur High Court, following Justices Ramalingam Sudhakar, M.V. Muralidharan, and D. Krishnakumar.
Born on July 19, 1966, in Chennai, Justice Sundar studied law at Madras Law College as part of its first five-year integrated law course. He enrolled as an advocate in 1989 and practiced extensively before the Madras High Court, handling a wide range of civil matters. Elevated as a permanent judge in October 2016, he has authored several notable judgments during his tenure.
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However, his new assignment comes at a particularly fraught moment for Manipur’s judiciary. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, the state has been grappling with a deluge of sensitive cases—ranging from mass killings and arson to allegations of rape and beheadings. Thousands of weapons looted during the unrest remain untraced, and police inaction during critical incidents has fueled allegations of complicity.
The Manipur High Court faces an overwhelming backlog of such cases. Many victims, displaced from their homes and forced to live in relief camps, struggle to access the courts. Several hill district courts remain partially functional, while special courts like the NIA bench in Churachandpur handle only select cases. Ensuring fair access to justice across ethnic lines will be among Justice Sundar’s toughest challenges.
In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice M. Sundar, Judge, Madras High Court as Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur with effect from the date he assumes charge of the office, consequent upon the… pic.twitter.com/uGe4olgboP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 14, 2025
Observers note that his task is not merely judicial but also moral—restoring public trust in a system many believe has failed them. Questions of accountability, including demands for impartial investigation into political complicity, continue to cast a long shadow. Any delay or perceived bias in the handling of cases risks reigniting tensions between the valley and the hills.
Legal analysts point out that Justice Sundar’s tenure in Manipur will test both his administrative skills and his ability to navigate a deeply fractured social landscape. Balancing speedy trials with fairness, ensuring protection of victims and witnesses, and rebuilding the credibility of the judiciary in a conflict-torn state are seen as priorities for the new Chief Justice.
As one senior lawyer in Imphal put it, “The new Chief Justice will not only preside over a court of law but also over a court of conscience. The people of Manipur are waiting to see if justice will finally be delivered.”
