31-07-2023 : The Supreme Court of India issued a strong condemnation of the horrifying incident in Manipur, where two women were paraded naked, terming it “horrendous.” The violence against women in the strife-torn region was described as an act of “unprecedented magnitude.” The court raised concerns over the delayed registration of the First Information Report (FIR) and proposed the formation of a committee of retired judges or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to oversee the investigation.
The court firmly declined to consider arguments made by lawyer and BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj, who sought to draw parallels with alleged incidents in opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala. The court emphasized the urgency of addressing the specific violence against women in Manipur, which was exacerbated by communal and sectarian strife in the region.
Questioning the actions of the Manipur police, the court expressed surprise that the government lacked critical information, despite media reports on the matter. The court raised concerns about the police’s handling of the case, as there were reports indicating their involvement in handing over the women to the mob.
The court ordered a report on the status of approximately 6,000 cases related to the ethnic conflict and highlighted the importance of a proper investigation, considering it as “systemic violence.” It questioned the significant delay in registering the FIR, asking why it was transferred to a magisterial court one month and three days after the incident.
While the court acknowledged the prevalence of crimes against women throughout the country, it stressed that the current case in Manipur required urgent attention due to its severity. The court aimed to restore faith in the constitutional process and address the ongoing violence affecting the state.
The Centre transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on July 27 and requested the trial be conducted outside Manipur to ensure a timely and impartial conclusion. The court accepted the Centre’s request for monitoring the investigation and agreed to the transfer of the trial.
The court sought details on the number of ‘zero FIRs’ filed, arrests made, legal aid provided to victims, and statements recorded under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Additionally, the court inquired about the relief package expected from the Government of India to aid the rehabilitation of those affected by the prolonged ethnic conflict.
While recognizing that the case was not isolated, the court urged the need for a healing touch as the violence against women continued unabated. The court underscored the importance of rebuilding lives and instilling confidence among the victims and affected communities in Manipur.
During the hearing, various advocates argued for an independent investigation, expressing skepticism about the current system’s effectiveness. The court considered different viewpoints while stressing the significance of building confidence among victims to encourage reporting of such crimes.