The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the investigation into the alleged sexual assault incident in Manipur’s Thoubal district, where three women were stripped and paraded naked. A distressing video of the incident went viral on May 4, triggering widespread outrage nationwide.
The CBI has filed an FIR, registering the case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and IT Act for murder, gang rape, outraging modesty, and criminal assault. As part of its procedure, the central agency has taken over the FIR initially registered by the Manipur Police against unidentified individuals. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a DIG-rank officer from the CBI was already stationed in the northeastern state.
To conduct a comprehensive investigation, the CBI will be sending additional women officers and forensic experts to the region. The decision to transfer the case to the CBI was made by the Centre with the consent of the State Government of Manipur.
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Furthermore, the Centre has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the trial of the incident outside of Manipur and ensure fast-tracking within six months of filing the chargesheet. Currently, seven main accused in the case have been arrested.
A significant breakthrough was made as the person responsible for filming the disturbing strip-and-parade incident was apprehended, and his phone was seized.
The Centre is actively engaging with both communities, Kuki and Meitei, in Manipur, with the hope of bringing them to a joint meeting soon. Talks have been progressing, with six rounds of discussions held separately with each group.
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