Woman Dies By Suicide Allegedly After Her Intimate Video Displayed In Public Tripura: High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance

In a significant move, the Tripura High Court on Thursday (May 6) took suo moto cognizance of a news item published in print and electronic media claiming that the video recording of a young married lady in an extremely intimate and compromising position with a man was shown in public and unable to bear the insults and humiliation, she committed suicide.

Importantly, the Bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice S. Talapatra noted that it did not accept the news story and would not accept it without full verification, however, it added,

"Even if a fraction of what is reported is true, it would shock the conscience of any citizen."

The gist of the news report

The gist of the report was that the video recording of a young married lady in an extremely intimate and compromising position with a man was shown in public in front of the members of the community of the village, who had gathered to discuss this issue.

The Court remarked,

"As if this much humiliation was not enough, going by the news reports, what followed was the grossest possible violation of human rights and extreme humiliation that any human being can be subjected to by fellow human beings through most barbaric acts perpetrated on her."

Allegedly, unable to bear these insults and humiliation, the young lady committed suicide on the next day, i.e. on 03.05.2021 by consuming poison.

The High Court decided to take cognizance of the news reports in suo-motu public interest petition, of which, advance copies were provided to the Advocate General, the Government Advocate, and the Public Prosecutor.

Under the circumstances, the Court has asked for the full facts from the State administration for which purpose, the following authorities have been made respondents in the public interest petition:

• The State of Tripura through the Chief Secretary;
• Director-General of Police;
• The Superintendent of Police, South Tripura District, &
• The SDPO, Sabroom Police Station. Let there be notice to the respondents, returnable 07-05-2021.

Further, by way of interim measures, the following directions were issued:

• The respondents shall produce before the Court the status of inquiry so far carried out in relation to the said alleged incident including in relation to the unnatural death of the lady;
• If any photographs or video footages are available of the alleged incident, the same shall be produced before the Court;
• The family members of the deceased woman shall be provided full protection and statements of such family members, if not already recorded, shall be recorded without any further delay.

Lastly, the Court observed that it was happy to record that the Advocate General and the Government Advocates assured the Court that it shall not be treated as an adversarial litigation and that they would provide the fullest assistance to the Court so that the whole truth is brought on record and the matter is taken to its logical conclusion.

Importantly, noting that the video clips of the deceased women shown in compromising position may be circulating on Whatsapp and other social media platforms, the Court directed the respondents to ensure that all such circulations are blocked with immediate effect and for such purpose, directions to the social media platform providers be given

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