Highlights of Supreme Court Hearing on Manipur Ethnic Violence Case

The Supreme Court heard a batch of pleas related to the ethnic violence in Manipur, and the hearing on Monday brought to light some significant points. Here are the highlights from the court proceedings:

1. SC Expresses Shock at Video of Women Paraded Naked: The court termed the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur as “horrendous” and expressed shock at the incident. The women were reportedly handed over to a rioting mob by the police. The court raised probing questions about the delayed registration of an FIR in this case.
2. Proposal for Oversight Committee: The Supreme Court suggested the idea of forming a committee of retired judges or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to oversee the probe into the violence in Manipur. The court described the violence against women in the strife-torn region as of “unprecedented magnitude.”
3. Reports on Actions Taken: The court sought reports on the actions taken by the state government in around 6,000 cases related to ethnic strife in Manipur. Additionally, the court raised concerns about the Manipur police’s handling of the investigation and questioned why the FIR in the video case was transferred to a magisterial court after a delay of one month and three days since the incident.
4. SC Expresses Discontent with Police Handling: The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the police handling of the case and remarked that it does not want the police to continue with the investigation, especially in light of media reports suggesting police involvement in handing over the women to the mob.
5. Unprecedented Magnitude of Crimes against Women: While acknowledging that crimes against women occur throughout the country, the Supreme Court emphasized that the present case deals with something of “unprecedented magnitude” mainly concerning violence and crimes against women.
6. Centre’s Stand on Monitoring the Investigation: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the state government, stated that the Union of India has no objection if the Supreme Court monitors the investigation.
7. Demand for Independent Agency Investigation: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the two women seen in the May 4 video, stated that the state police had collaborated with those perpetrating violence. The victims want an independent agency to investigate the matter, as they have confidence in such an agency.
8. Call for SIT Investigation: Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing one of the petitioners, urged for an SIT investigation in the matter. He expressed skepticism about the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and claimed that the Centre had turned a blind eye to the situation in the state.

The hearing in the Supreme Court shed light on the seriousness of the ethnic violence in Manipur, particularly the crimes against women, and emphasized the need for a thorough and independent investigation to bring those responsible to justice.