PIL moved on Manipur rape case

Imphal, February 26: The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in connection with raping of one Meinam Bina Devi of Luwang-shangbam Matai Mamang Leikai by a personnel of 25 Assam Rifles on October 6, 2001 has been moved before the Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court today. The PIL is being filed jointly by Human Rights Alert represented by its executive director Babloo Loitongbam and Human Rights Law Network (Manipur Unit) represented by its coordinator Nonibala Devi Yengkhom against deprivation of bodily integrity and invasion of sexual freedom of the victim. Meihoubam Rakesh, the counsel, moved the PIL before the Court and after hearing the submission made by him, the Court issued notices on the respondents returnable within six weeks time.Besides seeking the relief of the individual victim, the PIL also sought the implementation of the scheme framed by the National Commission for Women to wipe out the tears of unfortunate victims of rape and sexual assault following Supreme Court of India's direction in the Delhi Domestic Working Women's Forum Versus Union of India and Others {1995 (1) SCC 14}.