SC takes cognizance, directs govt to inform action taken on Manipur sexual violence video case

The Supreme Court on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of a horrifying video in which two women in Manipur are shown naked and subjected to sexual violence amid the state's ethnic conflict. The court asked the Center and the state government to inform it about the steps taken to bring the offenders to book, Live Law reports.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud this morning requested the presence of Solicitor General for India R Venkataramani and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. When the court met and addressed the AG and SG, the CJI said, “We are very deeply concerned about the video that surfaced yesterday of two women being shown in Manipur. We express our deep concern. It's time for the government to really step in and take action. This is simply unacceptable."

“The use of women as tools in communal disputes to trigger gender-based violence is deeply disturbing. This is the grossest of human rights violations,” the CJI said. Though the video was of May 4, there is no difference, the CJI said.

"We will give some time to the government to intervene, otherwise we will intervene," the CJI warned after asking for details of the measures taken by the authorities since May to book the criminals. The CJI also asked what measures the government has taken to ensure that such cases do not recur. "Who knows if it was isolated or if there is a pattern," the CJI said.

The CJI told the lawyers that the court was taking note of the issue for consideration in the ongoing series of cases related to violence in Manipur. The matter will be heard next Friday.

“The court is deeply disturbed by the visuals of the video that has been in the media since yesterday of sexual assault and violence against women in Manipur. We are of the view that the court must be apprised of the steps taken by the government to hold the perpetrators accountable and also to ensure that such cases do not recur in Manipur disputes. 

The images shown in the media would suggest gross violations of the constitution and violations of human rights. Using women as instruments to commit violence in a charged atmosphere is simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. We direct the Union and the State Government to take immediate steps to inform the court what steps have been taken”.