The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the case of alleged sexual assault of two women by a mob in Manipur.
The CBI has taken over the FIR registered by the Manipur Police against unidentified people in accordance with its procedure.
Earlier this month, a video emerged that showed two tribal women being paraded naked and groped by a mob. The video led to nationwide outrage and an uproar in the Parliament, with the Opposition demanding a statement on Manipur from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident in the video took place on May 4.
Since May 3, Manipur has been in the grips of ethnic violence between the state's Meitei and tribal communities. Over 150 people have been killed and several thousands have been displaced. Houses, religious places, and political establishments have also come under attack. The Opposition has slammed Modi for being silent on the issue.
Advertisement
The case was handed over to the CBI on a reference from the Union home ministry, the officials told PTI.
Earlier, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the Manipur government had requested the Centre to transfer the case to CBI, following which the government transferred the probe to the CBI. The Centre also asked the Supreme Court to transfer the trial outside of Manipur. The Centre further said that it seeks the completion of the trial within six months of the filing of the charge sheet.
In the case, seven persons, including the one who made that video, have been arrested so far. The mobile phone used to make the video has also been recovered.
Advertisement
"The Government of Manipur vide letter dated 26.07.2023 has recommended to Secretary, DOP&T for entrusting the case to CBI for further investigation, which has been duly recommended to Secretary, DOP&T by MHA vide letter dated 27.07.2023. The investigation shall, thus, be transferred to the CBI," said the Centre to the Supreme Court in an affidavit, as per PTI, adding that Centre believed the investigation should be completed at the earliest and the trial be also conducted in a time-bound manner "which must take place outside Manipur".
"The central government, therefore, makes a specific request that the entire case, including trial of the offence in question, be ordered to be transferred by this court to any state outside the state of Manipur. The power to transfer the case/trial outside any state is only with this court and, therefore, the central government is making this request to this court to pass such an order with a further direction to conclude the trial within a period of six months from the date of the filing of charge sheet by the CBI," said the Centre in an affidavit to the Apex Court, as per PTI.
