Manipur viral video case: Supreme Court to hear Centre's plea for transferring case to a different state

In response to the horrifying incident involving two women being paraded naked in Manipur, the Supreme Court on Monday is set to hear the Centre's request for the case to be transferred to another state.

Meanwhile, the victims have filed petitions in the Supreme Court against the BJP-ruled Centre and the Manipur government, urging the apex court for a suo moto action and a fair, impartial inquiry, with a plea to protect their identities.

Last week, the Supreme Court condemned the shocking video footage, denouncing it as a "gross constitutional failure". Chief Justice DY Chandrachud called on the government to take decisive measures to safeguard women in the region and to keep the court updated on their progress.

The Centre has approached the Supreme Court to move the trial out of Manipur and has also sought an assurance that the trial will be concluded within six months.

The horrific video of the two women has sparked widespread outrage among Opposition leaders. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in Manipur alleged that the women were gangraped in a field on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, while the police claim the incident occurred in a different district despite the FIR being filed in Kangpokpi.

The disturbing incident followed clashes between the Meitei and Kuki tribes in Manipur, triggered by the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.

Expressing their concern, Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed the need for action by the government to address the situation and ensure accountability for the violence.

“We are deeply disturbed about the videos distributed. We are expressing out deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable,” CJI Chandrachud said on July 20 hearing.

Originally scheduled for July 28, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing of several petitions related to the ethnic violence in Manipur after the CJI fell ill.

Both the Manipur government and the Home Ministry have recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals connected to the incident. 

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