Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: In a detailed charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it has been revealed that just before two women were exposed naked and sexually assaulted by a mob in Manipur’s Tobal district, they sought shelter inside a police car. However, the police driver allegedly claimed that he did "no key," leaving them at the mercy of the violent mob. This incident took place on May 3 in Charchandpur and became widely publicized following the release of a viral video in July 2023.
The CBI investigation into the incident revealed the chaotic and violent circumstances surrounding the attack. According to the indictment, the mob eventually overpowered the victims, including two other male victims who were also in the police car. As the crowd pulled the victims from the vehicle, the officers on the scene fled the scene, leaving the victims to deal with the crowd of nearly 1,000 people.
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The indictment was filed against six accused and a minor in a special court in Guwahati in October. The accused are facing various charges of gang-rape, murder, outraging the modesty of a woman and criminal conspiracy, among others, under the Indian Penal Code.
The violent mob attacked several villages, burning churches and houses. The investigation revealed that even after an emergency meeting of the heads of villages from the two communities, where it was decided to maintain peace, violence broke out with many targeting the villages. One of the groups took refuge in a nearby forest, but their hiding place was discovered, which led to their capture and eventual attack.
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The CBI’s charge sheet states that the police driver drove the vehicle into a dangerous crowd, despite knowing the risks. After the crowd started shaking the vehicle, the policemen abandoned it, allowing the crowd to take over.
The DGP of the Manipur government, Rajiv Singh, admitted that departmental action had been taken against the officers involved but deferred to the CBI for more details on criminal charges. The indictment stated that the accused were arrested by the Manipur police in July, shortly after the video depicting the attack went viral and sparked nationwide outrage.
