Centre transfers ‘Manipur women viral video’ case to CBI, wants trial outside the state

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) now would look into the horrific Manipur video case that featured two women paraded naked by a mob. The Centre stated the same in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court. Days after the incident caused widespread outrage and sparked a significant political confrontation with the united opposition, the Union Home Ministry has now sent the issue to the CBI.

According to sources, the administration also wants to hold the trial somewhere other than the violent northeastern state where it has been taking place for the past three months.

Notably, so far seven people in connection with the viral video have been arrested by the Manipur police and the search is on for the absconding.

The video ahead of the Parliament monsoon session has created a ruckus in both the houses over the demand for a statement from Prime Minister on the Manipur situation. When nothing was coming from the government, the opposition INDIA alliance moved the no-confidence motion in the house on July 26, which has been accepted by speaker On Birla on Thursday.

After this, the MPs of the opposition alliance decided to visit the violence hit state on July 29 and 30.

According to the sources, the affidavit says, “Several Police teams have been formed for mass operation at several locations to arrest identified culprits and an Additional SP rank officer has been entrusted to investigate the case, under the constant supervision of other senior police officials.”

“The approach of the Central Government is of zero tolerance towards any crimes against women. The Central Government considers offenses like the present one to be too heinous and deserve to be taken not only with the seriousness it deserves but justice should be seen to be done so that it has a deterrent effect throughout the nation with respect to crimes against women,” the Centre added.

Reaction from Congress

“After the pressure by the INDIA opposition alliance inside and outside the Parliament, the government has started to act on Manipur violence against women. We want the government to act quickly and in the correct manner. Let us not try to whitewash anything on Manipur,” says Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Centre transferring to CBI the case related to two women being paraded naked in Manipur.