Picture : Twitter/ ANI
The Supreme Court has called for evolving a broad mechanism to deal with violence against women in strife-torn Manipur and asked how many FIRs have been registered in such incidents in the state since May.
CJI DY Chandrachud says this video came to light but this is not the only incident where assault or harassment is done to women, there are also other women. So this is not an isolated incident. We also have to make a mechanism to see the broader issue of violence against women. This mechanism should ensure that all such cases are taken care of.
In ANI report, CJI further says, this is not a situation like Nirbhaya which was one rape committed – that was also horrific but it was isolated. Here we are dealing with systemic violence which IPC recognises as a separate offence. So to restore a sense of faith in the administration, a court-appointed team has its own message to send that the highest appointed court is deeply concerned- it will send officers with no political alignment.
Supreme Court asks the Centre what package is the government of India is providing to Manipur for rebuilding homes.
In scathing criticism of Manipur police the Supreme Court questions why the FIR was registered on May 18 when the incident happened on May 4. What were the police doing from May 4 to May 18? The incident came to light that women are being paraded naked and at least two were raped. What were the police doing?
The extent of our intervention would also depend on what the government has done so far. If we’re satisfied with what the government has done, we may not even intervene.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the Union of India has no objection if the apex court monitors the investigation into the Manipur violence.
The bench, also comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, is hearing a batch of petitions concerning the violence in Manipur.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the two victim women from Manipur, says the women are against the CBI probe into the case and transfer of case to Assam.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for government, says we have never requested the trial to be transferred to Assam. We have said that the matter be transferred outside Manipur. We never said Assam, SG says.
