The Supreme Court on Thursday said it is deeply disturbed by the video of sexual assault of Kuki women that has surfaced from Manipur and took suo motu cognizance of the case.
“We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable,” the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud said.
“It’s simply unacceptable. Using women as an instrument in an area of communal strife. It’s the grossest of constitutional abuse… If the government does not act, we will,” the CJI said.
The top court asked the Union government and the Manipur government to apprise it of the action they have taken to bring the perpetrators to book.
“What is portrayed in the media about visuals which appeared shows gross constitutional violation and infraction of human life using women as instruments of perpetrated violence is against constitutional democracy. Let the Centre and state apprise the court on steps taken,” the court ordered.
In the video that has triggered massive condemnation and demands for action, two Kuki women were paraded naked by Meiteis, molested and dragged to a field, where they were allegedly gang-raped.
The incident took place on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, some 35 km from the state capital Imphal, according to a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF).
