News Brief

'Will Intervene If Government Doesn't Act,' Supreme Court Condemns Horrifying Assault On Manipur Women

Swarajya Staff

Jul 20, 2023, 12:08 PM | Updated 12:12 PM IST


The Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court of India.

The video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur has been strongly condemned by the Supreme Court, which has deemed it a gross constitutional failure.

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, has called on the government to take immediate action and keep the court informed about the measures being implemented to ensure the safety of women in the region.

Expressing deep concern, DY Chandrachud stated that the distribution of the disturbing videos is unacceptable. He emphasised the need for the government to step up and take action without delay.

The Chief Justice stressed the importance of swift action from the Centre, warning that the court will intervene if the government fails to act.

In the absence of government action, the court will take matters into its own hands. The Chief Justice firmly believes that the court must be informed about the actions taken by the government to ensure that those responsible for such violence are brought to justice.

The portrayal of the incident in the media and the visuals that have emerged clearly demonstrate a grave violation of constitutional principles.

The matter will be heard by the Supreme Court on 28 July.

A video showing two women being paraded naked, molested, and dragged to a field where they were allegedly gang-raped has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for action.

According to a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the incident occurred on 4 May in Kangpokpi district, approximately 35 km from the state capital Imphal.

Following the circulation of the disturbing video online, Manipur police arrested a key suspect named Heradas (32) in Thoubal district. The arrest was made with the help of the video, which showed the suspect wearing a green T-shirt.

Violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized to oppose the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This led to a series of clashes and unrest in the region.

The Kuki tribe has called for the Chief Minister's resignation in the wake of the ongoing violence. The situation has resulted in the loss of over 120 lives and the displacement of thousands, who are now seeking shelter in relief camps.


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