Manipur: 'If govt doesn't act, we will'

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of a video depicting women being sexually assaulted in violence-hit Manipur, terming it “deeply disturbing" and the “grossest violation of constitutional rights".

- Utkarsh Anand & Prawesh Lama

It sought explanations from the central and the state governments and directed them to ensure that such incidents do not recur, threatening to “step in" if action isn’t taken.

Fixing the next hearing on 28 July, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud called for reports from the Centre and the state.

“This court must be apprised of the steps which have been and shall be taken by the government to hold the perpetrators accountable; and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The Union government and the state government are directed to take immediate steps—remedial, rehabilitative, and preventive and to apprise the court of the action which has been taken before the next date of listing on affidavit," directed the bench, which also included justice P.S. Narasimha.

The SC order underscored that the court was deeply disturbed by the videos of sexual assault and violence against women in Manipur. “What is portrayed in the media would indicate gross constitutional violations and infractions of human rights. Using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy," stated the order.