SC Pulls Up Home Ministry For Inaction On Rape Video Uploads

14 March, New Delhi

Supreme Court has pulled up Home Ministry for sitting on crucial video material about a gang rape highlighted in the “Shame the Rapist” campaign launched by activist Sunitha Krishnan.

Social Justice Bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice UU Lalit said the Ministry made no move to hand over the video evidence to the CBI for over 20 days.

It received the videos on February 10 from Ms. Krishnan, but chose to pass them on to the CBI only on March 5. Despite repeated queries from the Bench to explain its conduct, the Ministry had nothing to offer.

The court directed Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, who appeared for the Ministry, to name the officer who received the video evidence from Ms. Krishnan, and demanded a full explanation on what action the ministry took till March 5.

The court, during the previous hearing on February 27, took suo motu cognisance of a letter by Prajwala, a non-governmental organisation of Ms. Krishnan, highlighting the existence of the videos and the immediate necessity to nab the culprits.

The Bench had ordered the CBI investigation. In the videos, five men are seen smiling into the camera after taking turns at sexually assaulting their victim.