The Gujarat High Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of a recent incident of assault and disrobing of a tribal woman in Dahod district..According to the Indian Express, the 35-year-old tribal woman was assaulted, disrobed, paraded and dragged by a motorcycle across an 800-metre stretch by a mob led by her in-laws over suspicion of an extramarital affair with a co-villager.The Division Bench of Justice AS Supehia and Justice Gita Gopi called the incident outrageous and asked the State to submit an action taken report on the incident.The Court also directed the State to apprise it about the future course of action to be adopted for curbing such incidents."A destitute and distressed tribal woman was assaulted, paraded and dragged by a motorcycle. The incident which has happened on 28th January is wildly reported in print and electronic media and the video of the ill-fated incident has been circulated in social media as well. Such kind of incident not only impacts the social and mental wellbeing of women across the State but has wide ramification because of unfettered social media," it said..The Court also directed the State to apprise it about the steps taken for the security and medical care of the destitute victims in such cases including the tribal woman.Further, the Court questioned how the videos of the incident were being allowed to be circulated on the internet."It is also heart-wrenching that there is no restraint or check on social media which allows the videos of a disrobed victim being circulated which is a feed for the sadist who take pleasure in circulating and enjoying the plight of a helpless and deserted lady. The State government shall also apprise this court on this issue also," the Court said.The matter will be heard next on February 12.
