Date: July 31, 2023

In a case that has shocked the nation, two women from Manipur, whose identities have been concealed as 'X' and 'Y', have approached the Supreme Court seeking justice and fair investigation. The women were shown in a horrifying video being paraded naked and subjected to sexual violence amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict in the State.

The petition, filed through Advocate on Record Javedur Rahman, is scheduled to be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra on July 31, 2023.

Taking suo moto cognizance of the issue on July 20, the Supreme Court had directed both the Centre and the State Government of Manipur to inform it about the steps taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. The court made it clear that it would give the government some time to take appropriate action, but if prompt measures were not taken, the Court would intervene.

Responding to the Court's directive, the Union Government decided to entrust the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the investigation into the matter. The State Government of Manipur consented to this decision, considering the gravity of the offence. 

Moreover, the Union Government has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the trial out of Manipur to any other state and also sought a direction to complete the trial within six months of filing the chargesheet.

In addition to the writ petition filed by the two women, another Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted, seeking an independent expert committee led by a former judge of the top court to inquire into the incidents of sexual assault and ongoing violence in the state of Manipur.

The shocking incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with both the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) condemning the violence witnessed in Manipur, particularly referring to the distressing video.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken cognizance of complaints and is urgently intervening into the incident.