The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will take over the probe into the viral video of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur. The government said it had a “zero-tolerance policy” towards crimes against women and requested the Supreme Court to direct the trial to be conducted outside Manipur.
In an affidavit presented by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to the Supreme Court, the Centre said the decision to hand over the case to the CBI was made after consulting the Manipur government. Manipur Police has so far arrested seven people in connection with the case.
In the affidavit, the central government said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against women, particularly ones as heinous as the case in Manipur. It added that justice should be delivered “so that it has a deterrent effect throughout the nation with respect to crimes against women”.As per the affidavit, the Manipur government had recommended the transfer of the investigation to the CBI on May 26, and the MHA approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training on Thursday, July 27.The MHA requested the Supreme Court to direct that the trial be conducted outside the state of Manipur. It also asked the top court to pass an order directing the CBI to conclude the trial within a period of six months from the date of the filing of the chargesheet.
In addition, the MHA mentioned several “preventative measures” that have been put in place to avoid a repetition of the incident in Manipur. These measures include mandatory reporting of such incidents, investigation led by officials of the Superintendent of Police (SP) rank, and offering suitable rewards for reporting such incidents and providing information which can lead to the arrest of the culprits. The identity of the whistleblower or complainant will be protected by the police, said the MHA.The affidavit also informed the Supreme Court of the rehabilitation measures being formulated by the state government for the victims of the ongoing violence. These include counseling by trained professionals, providing shelter at a chosen location with secrecy and security, arranging for education if the victims are willing to pursue it, assisting with meaningful livelihood, vocational training, and suitable job opportunities for the victims and their next of kin based on their willingness and suitability.
Mental health support will also be provided through “district psychological support teams” to help those living in relief camps cope with the aftermath of the violence, said the affidavit.The MHA added that additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed in Manipur since May 3 when the violence erupted. Currently, 124 additional companies of CAPFs and 185 columns of Army/Assam Rifles, along with the local police, are deployed in Manipur. A “Unified Command” comprising representatives from all security forces and civil administration, chaired by the Security Advisor, has also been established.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter on Friday, July 28 and will consider the suggestions and proposals put forth by the MHA.Earlier, the top court had taken suo motu cognizance of the viral video on July 20, and called it “deeply disturbing”. A bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud directed the government to take immediate action to apprehend those involved in the incident and prevent any further violence.
