Vidhi Codex

The Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956

The Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956

General195658 sections4 chapters

The Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956, governs local administration and justice within Manipur’s hill regions. It applies to villages with twenty or more tax-paying houses, establishing "Village Authorities" via election or nomination to manage daily affairs. These authorities maintain law and order, performing duties similar to the police to ensure local safety and peace. Additionally, the Act empowers village courts to resolve minor civil disputes and criminal acts like trespassing or petty theft. This law is vital as it enables hill communities to handle legal affairs and governance through recognized local bodies.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II CONSTITUTION AND FUNCTIONS OF VILLAGE AUTHORITIES →

  1. 3Constitution of Village Authorities.
  2. 4Qualifications for membership of Village Authorities.
  3. 5Disqualifications for membership of Village Authorities.
  4. 6Term of office of members of Village Authorities.
  5. 7Election of members of Village Authorities.
  6. 8Power to remove members of Village Authorities.
  7. 9Resignation of members.
  8. 10Filling of causal vacancies.
  9. 11Bar to interference by courts in election matters.
  10. 12Election disputes.
  11. 13Validation of acts and proceedings.
  12. 14Incorporation of Village Authorities.
  13. 15Control of Village Authorities by sub-divisional magistrate.
  14. 16Functions of Village Authorities.
  15. 17Obligation to assist Village Authorities.
  16. 18Power of Chief Commissioner to call for records of Village Authorities, sub-divisional magistrate or Deputy Commissioner.
  17. 19Constitution of village courts.
  18. 20Jurisdiction of village courts in criminal cases.

Chapter III ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BY VILLAGE AUTHORITIES →

  1. 21How cases may be instituted.
  2. 22Power of village courts to dismiss or refuse to entertain complaint.
  3. 23Dismissal of case for default.
  4. 24Proceedings preliminary to trial.
  5. 25Bar to appeal from the order of village courts, but power to order retrial.
  6. 26Power of village courts to impose fine or to award compensation.
  7. 27Power of village to release certain offenders after admonition or on probation of good conduct.
  8. 28Power of village courts to permit compounding of offences.
  9. 29Power to transfer criminal cases.
  10. 30Jurisdiction of village courts in civil cases.
  11. 31Certain suits not to be tried by village courts.
  12. 32Local limits of jurisdiction of village courts.
  13. 33How suits may be instituted.
  14. 34Suits barred by limitation are not triable by village courts.
  15. 35Dismissal of suits for default.
  16. 36Summons to defendants to appear and answer.
  17. 37Ex parte decision.
  18. 38No order to be set aside without notice to opposite party.
  19. 39Power of village courts to determine necessary parties.
  20. 40Certain suits not to be tried by village courts.
  21. 41Decision of village courts.
  22. 42Instalments.
  23. 43Decision of village court to be final; but power to order retrial.
  24. 44Death of parties.
  25. 45Fees.
  26. 46Execution of decree.
  27. 47Limitation for execution of decree or order.
  28. 48Procedure before village courts.
  29. 49Persons who are to preside over village courts.
  30. 50Village courts not to try any case or suiting in which the Village authority or any member thereof is interested.
  31. 51Attendance of witnesses.
  32. 52Appearance of parties before village courts.
  33. 53Appearance of women.
  34. 54Realisation of fees, fines, etc.
  35. 55Registers and records.
  36. 56Language of village courts.

Chapter IV MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 57Power to make rules.
  2. 58Repeal and savings.

PDF: pending for this language.