Supreme Court’s stern comments on shocking Manipur video create viral sensation in India.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday called for the development of a comprehensive mechanism to address violence against women in the troubled state of Manipur, asking for information on the number of registered FIRs since May. The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, stated that it has no objection to the apex court overseeing the investigation into the Manipur violence. The bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is hearing a batch of petitions related to the violence in Manipur.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing two women who were paraded naked in a video on May 4 in Manipur, stated that they have filed a petition in the matter. Chief Justice Chandrachud acknowledged that violence against women in Manipur is of an “unprecedented magnitude.” When Advocate Bansuri Swaraj mentioned crimes against women in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, the bench stated that incidents in other parts of the country cannot justify the incidents in Manipur. The court emphasized the need for a specific mechanism to address the situation in Manipur.

The Supreme Court also noted that the video of the two tribal women being stripped and paraded naked may not be an isolated incident, as indicated by the Union home secretary’s affidavit. The court requested the Manipur government to provide details on the number of FIRs registered for sexual assault against women in the state during the ethnic strife. The court stressed the importance of promptly registering FIRs in such cases, unlike the present case where the FIR was filed after the video surfaced and the Supreme Court intervened. The court also questioned the delay in registering the FIR, which was filed on May 18 despite the incident occurring on May 4.

In addition, senior advocate Sibal opposed the transfer of the Manipur trial to Assam. The Attorney General, R Venkataramani, stated that the CBI is currently investigating the incident and the trial will be decided by the top court when the time comes. The Supreme Court, on July 20, expressed deep concern over the video of the two women being paraded naked in Manipur and deemed the use of women as instruments for violence unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. The court directed the Centre and the Manipur government to take immediate remedial, rehabilitative, and preventive measures and update the court on the actions taken. On July 27, the Centre informed the court that it has transferred the probe into the case to the CBI and requested the trial to be conducted outside Manipur for a time-bound conclusion. So far, seven people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Ethnic violence in Manipur erupted on May 3 when a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organized in the hill districts to protest against the demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the majority Meitei community. Numerous fatalities and injuries have occurred since then.

Sources: Times of India