Al Haqeeqa
by Muslim Mirror Staff
In response to disturbing visuals of two women being paraded naked in Manipur, the Supreme Court of India has expressed its deep concern and vowed to take action if the government fails to act promptly. Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, heading a three-judge bench, called it “the grossest form of abuse of constitutional values and human rights values.”
The bench took suo motu cognizance of news reports about the incident and sought the presence of the Centre’s topmost law officers, attorney-general R. Venkataramani and solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, to address the matter urgently before the start of the day’s proceedings.
“It is very unfortunate. Using women as instruments in an area of communal strife to inflict gender violence is deeply disturbing. This is the grossest form of human rights violation,” Justice Chandrachud told Venkatramani and Mehta.
Both Venkataramani and Mehta assured the court that the government was “deeply disturbed” by the incident, and necessary action would be taken against those responsible.
Subsequently, Justice Chandrachud dictated a written order, stating that the court was deeply disturbed by the visuals, which indicated gross violations of the constitution and human rights. The court demanded the Union government and the Manipur state government to explain the “remedial, rehabilitative, and preventive” measures they had taken to address such reprehensible incidents.
The court directed the Union home secretary and the chief secretary for the state of Manipur to file affidavits before the next hearing, scheduled for July 28. The affidavits must detail the actions taken by the authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure such incidents do not recur.
The bench, comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Manoj Misra, is also hearing a series of public interest pleas seeking an end to the violence in Manipur.
The Centre and Manipur government have until July 27 to file their affidavits, and the court will issue directions the following day. The Supreme Court’s strong stance signals the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate and decisive action against those involved in the heinous act.
