'Deeply disturbed,' Supreme Court terms Manipur viral video incident as grossest of constitutional and human rights violation

SC asks Centre, State to apprise of steps taken by July 28.

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre and the Manipur government to tell as to what steps it has taken with regard to viral video of two women being paraded naked in May, this year, terming it as "grossest of constitutional and human rights violation".

"We are really disturbed...Using women as an instrument, in an area of communal strife, to perpetuate gender violence is unacceptable," a bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said.

Taking up a pending matter arising out of the High Court's judgement of March 27, 2023 on the grant of Scheduled Tribe status to the Hindu Meitei community, the bench said, "it is time the government step in and take action -- or we will."

The court asked the Centre and the state government to take action and apprise it about the steps taken in the matter on Friday next.

Read | Filled with pain, anger: PM Modi breaks silence on Manipur violence

"We are very deeply disturbed about the videos. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable," the bench told Attorney General R Venkatramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

"We are of the view that court must be apprised of the steps taken by the govt so that perpetrators are booked for such violence. What is portrayed in the media and visuals which appeared shows grossest constitutional and human rights violation," the bench added.

The court stressed that using women as instruments of perpetrated violence is against constitutional democracy.

The court directed the Union Government and the State Government to take immediate steps, remedial, rehabilitative and preventive in the matter. It asked the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary of Manipur to file an affidavit before July 28, the next date of hearing.

On Thursday, one culprit identified as Huirem Herodas has reportedly been arrested.

Read | Centre orders social media platforms to not share Manipur women's viral video

The video of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district during the riot on May 4 surfaced on social media on Wednesday, leaving many shell-shocked and drawing massive condemnation.

The video showed a group of men constantly molesting the two women while they were being taken towards a paddy field. The victims were seen crying for help.

Confirming the incident, a statement issued by the Manipur Police on Wednesday evening said all-out efforts were underway to arrest the culprits. It said a case of abduction, gang-rape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants.