Wife, Husband Die By Suicide Allegedly After Woman Subjected To Public Humiliation: Tripura High Court Orders SIT Probe

The Tripura High Court on Friday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into an incident where a young lady was allegedly subjected to public humiliation and assault, and on account of which, allegedly she died by suicide a couple of days later.

The Bench of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice S. Talapatra had, 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.

The Court also noted that while the public interest petition was being heard, the husband of the lady also died by suicide.

For the death of the young lady, the Court was told that police have registered an F.I.R. (in connection with Woman's suicide) for offences punishable under Sections 306, 323 and 354 read with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation was partly carried out by the I.O. under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police of the district. '

Significantly, upon perusal of the investigation carried out so far, the Court noticed several deficiencies, and thus, the Court found it appropriate to form an SIT, however, in order not to prejudice the ongoing investigation and also the defence of the accused, the Court did not state the elaborate reasons for handing over the entire investigation to the SIT.

Accordingly, the following SIT is formed:

1. Ms. Lucky Chowhan, Commandant, Central Training Institute, Gokulnagar;
2. Ms. Soumya Debbarma, SDPO, Belonia; and
3. Ms. Babita Bhattacharjee, I/C, Tripura Human Rights Commission.

Needless to add the State administration shall provide all necessary facilities and support to the members of the SIT. The SIT so formed shall carry out the investigation further and place before us the papers of investigation for our perusal on the next date of hearing," directed the Court.

The Court also clarified that the case of the suicide of the husband of the lady which so far has been registered as an unnatural death case before the concerned police station, shall also form part of this investigation.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 25, 2021.

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