SC Takes Cognizance of Manipur Sexual Violence Video; Says Court Will Act If Govt Doesn't

Digital Desk: The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was “deeply disturbed” by the video which has emerged in which two tribal women were seen paraded naked and molested, and asked the Centre and State to take action against the perpetrators.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra said it was “simply unacceptable” and using women as an instrument in violence is unacceptable.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a video that emerged online yesterday, the bench asked the Centre and State to appraise the step taken on the issue."Simply unacceptable. Using women as an instrument in an area of communal strife to inflict gender violence is deeply disturbing.

This is the grossest of constitutional abuse and human rights violations. We are deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged. If the government does not act, we will," CJI said.

The bench said it must be apprised of the steps taken by the governments so that perpetrators are booked for such violence and what steps are taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The bench noted that the “video may be from May, but that does not make any difference".

"What is portrayed in the media and in the photos that have surfaced demonstrates a gross constitutional breach and infraction of human life using women as instruments of violence is against constitutional democracy. Let Centre and State update court on actions," the supreme court ruled.

The event was also denounced by the Central and Manipur governments' Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who said, "This is unacceptable."

"The occurrence has caused the authorities great anxiety as well. Such incidents are wholly unacceptable, according to Mehta. The matter was then submitted by the supreme court for listing on July 28. The cases involving the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur have been taken over by the top court.