- विज्ञापन -
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the horrific case in which a woman was paraded half-naked in Tarn Taran on March 31. This was allegedly done by her son’s in-laws because they were objecting to his marrying their daughter.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, Tarn Taran Administrative Judge Justice Sanjay Vashishtha said, “I am reminded of the historical incident that took place during the Mahabharata period, in which Draupadi was disrobed at the behest of the Kauravas. Also, the Pandavas including Bhishma Pitamah were dismembered. Because of silence, the blood of thousands of people was shed in the Mahabharata war.”
The judge said that even after centuries, a common man does not expect that the justice system will remain a mute spectator to such incidents happening openly right under the nose of the administration.
The matter will be heard today by Acting Chief Justice G.S. Listed before Justice Sandhawalia and Justice Lupita Banerjee.
The court issued a notice to State and directed to take steps to remove the video from the social media platform. A status report was sought on the action taken against the accused involved in the alleged incident.
Referring the case to a division bench of Acting Chief Justice and Justice Lupita Banerjee, Justice Vashishtha said it is alleged that when the victim and her family members approached the local police to lodge a complaint, no attention was paid and when the matter went viral on social media then only police came into action. FIR in the case was registered on April 3 whereas on April 6, police arrested the four out of five accused in the incident.
Justice Vashishtha commented, “I believe that this incident should be taken suo motu by the judicial side, because the High Court cannot remain a mute spectator to such incidents, where the honor and modesty of a woman is openly insulted, and despite taking necessary steps, the police and other concerned authorities show or adopt indifferent attitude and do not initiate prompt action.” The division bench has sought a status report from the Punjab government on the next date.
