The Supreme Court of India has taken Suo Moto cognizance of a distressing video that emerged online showing two Manipuri women from the Kuki tribe being paraded naked and molested. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud expressed deep concern over the video and stated that if the government fails to act, the Court will take action. [1]The bench, including Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, has asked the Central and State governments to report on the steps taken to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the violence against the women.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, also condemned the incident. “This is unacceptable and we join your lordship. The government is also seriously concerned by the incident,” he said.[2]
The violence in Manipur has arisen from the opposition of certain tribes to the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The Manipur High Court had previously ordered the state government to consider granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, leading to clashes between tribal and non-tribal communities.[3]
The viral video of the two women being assaulted shows them being paraded naked and molested by a group of men as they were taken to a paddy field. According to the reports of Mint, its indicate that the incident occurred on May 4, and the women were also gang-raped by the mob.[4]
The Supreme Court is already hearing several pleas related to the violence in Manipur. The government has assured the Court of taking proactive measures to address the situation and provide relief and rehabilitation for affected individuals and communities.
The Manipur Tribal Forum had requested the deployment of the Army in tribal areas to control the situation, but the Court declined the request on July 11, stating that it has never issued directions to the Indian Army on conducting military, security, or rescue operations throughout its history.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter for further consideration on July 28.[5] The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, and both the Court and the government have expressed strong condemnation of the violence against women and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
WRITTEN BY- SWATI SUMAN, COLLEGE NAME – MODY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, RAJASTHAN, SEMESTER- 9TH SEMESTER AN INTERN UNDER LEGAL VIDHIYA
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/manipur-video-simply-unacceptable-sc-says-pm-assures-guilty-wont-be-spared-latest-developments/articleshow/101979696.cms
[2] https://www.barandbench.com/news/manipur-video-supreme-court-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-women-paraded-naked-says-court-will-act-if-government-does-not
[3] https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-takes-suo-motu-cognizance-of-manipur-video-233149
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