PIL in Tripura High Court Challenges Alleged Parallel Justice System in Bru Community

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) vide no WP(C)(PIL) No.12 of 2026 has been filed before the Tripura High Court alleging that some organisations functioning within the Bru community are operating a “parallel judicial and administrative system” for dealing with social disputes and other matters.

The petition alleges that these organisations have been conducting proceedings in the name of social justice and settlement of local disputes and have also been taking decisions on matters involving government or judicial authorities. The petitioner has raised questions over the legal authority of such organisations to conduct such proceedings and impose decisions or penalties.

According to the petition, several organisations associated with the Bru community have allegedly been collecting money from people in the name of resolving social disputes. It has further been alleged that they have been issuing decisions in matters relating to marriage, birth and death certificates, local disputes and other social issues.

The petition also makes allegations regarding decisions in serious criminal matters. According to the allegations placed before the High Court, cases involving serious offences, including a murder incident, have also been dealt with through such mechanisms. In one alleged murder case, a penalty of Rs. 3.03 lakh was reportedly imposed.

The petitioner has described the alleged arrangement as a “Parallel Adjudication and Administrative System” developing within the Bru community. The petition contends that no individual, organisation or institution can exercise powers contrary to the laws and Constitution of India.

The respondents in the case include the Government of Tripura, the District Magistrates of South Tripura, Gomati and West Tripura, the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates, officials associated with the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), and representatives of Bru community organisations including Bru Songrongma Mthoh, Bru Choudhury Mthoh and Kaskau Rai Parishad.

The PIL was filed on September 25, 2026. When the matter came up before the Tripura High Court on October 5, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice S. Datta Purkayastha heard the matter. During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the State informed the Court that a committee had been constituted under the District Magistrate of West Tripura to take necessary steps regarding the issue.

The High Court, however, questioned why such a committee had been constituted only after the filing of the PIL. The Court also directed the District Magistrates of Gomati, South Tripura and West Tripura to submit their responses separately. The concerned Bru organisations have also been directed to respond to the allegations. The Court has issued notices in the matter and sought appropriate responses from the concerned authorities and organisations.

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on November 24, 2026. The petition was represented by advocates Prashanta Kumar Pal, Subir Baidya, Abhishak Pal, Anurbi Das, Maitri Majumdar, Saugat Dutta, Hiranlal Debbarma and Madhurima Chand.