Image Source: AGENCIES

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will conduct a probe into the incident in which two Manipuri women belonging to the Kuki tribe were seen paraded naked and being molested, the Central government told the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The Central government has zero tolerance towards crimes against women and heinous offences like the present one will be taken seriously and justice will be done so that it has a deterrent effect across the nation, the government submitted.

"This is one of the reasons why the Central government with the consent of the State government has decided to entrust the investigation to an independent investigating agency i.e. CBI," it was submitted on affidavit.

The Central government assured that the investigation will be completed at the earliest and trial will be held in a time-bound manner.
Pertinently, the trial must take place outside the State of Manipur, the government said.
Hence, it requested the apex court to pass directions to transfer the probe to a State other than Manipur.

The affidavit was filed in response to a suo motu case registered by the apex court after the video of the horrific incident went viral on social media triggering outrage.
The bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra had, on July 20, sought the responses of the Central and State governments on the steps taken by it to book the perpetrators.

The affidavit filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs also said that at least seven accused have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in police custody.
They have been booked for various offenses including rape and murder, the affidavit further said.