Manipur video: Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance; asks Centre, state govt to inform it what action is taken against perpetrators

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, July 20

Taking suo motu cognisance of videos of two women allegedly being paraded naked in ethnic-violence-hit Manipur, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre and the state government to inform it about the action taken against the perpetrators.

“We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps in and takes action. This is completely unacceptable…Using women as an instrument in an area of communal strife to perpetuate gender violence is unacceptable,” a Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud said.

“The video may be from the month of May, but that does not make any difference,” said the CJI.

Noting that it would give a little time to the government to take action, the Bench said otherwise it would pass orders.

Seeking reports from the Centre and the Manipur government on steps taken to bring the perpetrators to book and also to prevent such incidents in future, the Bench posted the matter for July 28.

“We are of the view that this court must be apprised of the steps taken by the government so that perpetrators are booked for such violence. What is portrayed in the media and visuals which appeared shows gross constitutional violation,” it noted.

“Using women as an instrument for perpetrating violence in an area of communal strife is the grossest of constitutional abuse. We are deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged. If the government does not act, we will,” the CJI said.

“Infraction of human life using women as instruments of perpetrating violence is against constitutional democracy,” the Bench said in the presence of Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The Solicitor General said the government shared the concern expressed by the top court. “This is unacceptable and we join your lordship. The government is also seriously concerned by the incident,” Mehta said.

Maintaining that the state government had initiated immediate steps to bring the perpetrators to book, he said the outcome of its actions would be placed on record.