On Thursday (May 8, 2021), the Tripura High Court took Suo moto cognizancee of news items published in print and electronic media claiming that the video of a married woman in a very private and compromising position with a man was shown openly and incapable to bear the abuses and embarrassment, she committed suicide.
The matter was heard by the bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice S Talapatra, who stated that it didn't accept the news story and would not acknowledge it without full verification.
The gist of the news report:
According to the report, a video recording of the young married woman in an extremely intimate and compromising position with a man was shown openly before the individuals from the local area of the town who had assembled to discuss this issue. Afterward, when she was unable to bear these abuses and embarrassment, she committed suicide on May 3, 2021 by taking poison.
The court remarked that,
“As if this much embarrassment was not enough, passing by the news reports, what followed was the grossest possible infringement of basic rights and outrageous embarrassment that any individual can be exposed to by individual people through most savage demonstrations executed on her”.
Therefore, the High Court decided to take cognizance of the news reports in the Suo-Motu public interest appeal, of which, advance copies were given to the Advocate General, the Government Advocate, and the Public Prosecutor.
As per the situation, the Court demanded complete facts of the case from the State administration, and for this purpose, the following authorities have been appointed as respondents in the public interest appeal:
- The State of Tripura through the Chief Secretary
- Director general of police
- The superintended of police, south Tripura district and
- The SDPO, Sab room Police Station. Let there be notice to the respondents, returnable 07-05-2021.
Further, by way of interim measures, the following directions were given:
- The respondents shall produce before the Court the situation of inquiry so far carried out about the said alleged incident including about the unnatural death of the lady.
- if any photos or video recordings are accessible of the incident, the same will be submitted before the Court.
- the relatives of the deceased lady will be given full protection and statements of such relatives, if not recorded, shall be recorded without any further delay.
The court also stated that the video clips of the deceased lady shown in a compromising position might be circulated on WhatsApp and other media stages. It asked the respondents to ensure that all such circulations are obstructed with immediate impact and for such purpose, directions to social media platform providers are given.
Statement by Respondents:
The Advocate General notified the Court that after affirmation of the fact that the woman had committed suicide which depended on the posthumous report, a proper FIR was enrolled on May 6, 2021.
"The FIR reveals commission of offenses culpable under Sections 323, 354, 306 read with Section 34 of IPC. Explanations of some of the family members of the deceased young lady have been recorded," he submitted.
He also assured the court that examination is being done in full sincerity and as stated by the Court that the relatives of the deceased lady are being given full security.
The matter will be heard again on May 17, 2021 when the Advocate General will notify the court about further advancement in the investigation.
