The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday (April 8th) took suo-motu notice of an incident in which a woman was allegedly assaulted and paraded semi-naked by her son’s in-laws in Tarn Taran and said it reminded of the ‘Chirharan of Draupadi’ at the behest of the Kauravas in Mahabharat.
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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday proactively addressed a disturbing event from Tarn Taran, Punjab, where a 55-year-old woman was allegedly subjected to assault and humiliation by her son’s in-laws. This grievous incident drew a parallel with the ancient scriptural episode of Draupadi’s disrobing (“chirharan”) in the Mahabharata, orchestrated by the Kauravas, marking a shocking reminder of historical injustices against women.
The victim found herself in this dire situation shortly after her son eloped and married a woman, contrary to the latter’s family’s approval. The assault occurred in a village on March 31, revealing the deep-seated animosity and repercussions faced by the family of those who defy traditional matrimonial arrangements.
Justice Sanjay Vashisth, recognizing the gravity and the “barbaric and shameful” nature of the incident through media exposures, initiated a suo-motu (on its own motion) investigation, treating the matter as a public interest litigation. As the administrative judge of the Tarn Taran sessions division, Justice Vashisth’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s refusal to be a passive observer in the face of such blatant violations of human dignity.
The case was escalated to a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, who have since issued a notice of motion to the Punjab government, demanding accountability and prompt action. Justice Vashisth lamented,
“I am reminded of the historical event that had taken place during the Mahabharat era, that is, the chirharan of Draupdi at the behest of the Kauravas and the silence of the Pandavas, including Bhishma Pitamah, which ultimately resulted in bloodshed of thousands of people in the Mahabharat war.”
This incident not only evokes a bygone era of injustice but also questions the efficacy and responsiveness of the contemporary “nyay pranali” (judicial system). Justice Vashisth stated,
“After centuries thereafter, an ordinary common man does not expect even today that the ‘nyay pranali’ (judicial system) would be a mute spectator to such incidents, happening sinfully and openly under the nose of the administration.”
His remarks underline a critical expectation from the judicial system to protect and vindicate the rights and dignity of individuals, especially in cases where the administration appears indifferent or inactive.
“Being the administrative judge of the Tarn Taran sessions division, I am of the considered opinion that cognisance of this incident is required to be taken suo-motu on the judicial side, because the high court cannot be a mute spectator to such incidents, where the respect and modesty of a lady is outraged openly, and despite taking required steps, police and the other authorities concerned show or adopt a lackluster attitude and do not initiate prompt action,”
-the judge said.
The police have arrested four individuals related to the victim’s ordeal. The complaint detailed a harrowing account of the victim being alone at home when she was assaulted and forcibly paraded in a state of undress by her son’s in-laws. The suspects, including Kulwinder Kaur Mani, the mother of the victim’s daughter-in-law, her brothers Sharanjit Singh Shanni and Gurcharan Singh, and family friend Sunny Singh, face multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, reflecting the seriousness of their alleged actions.
This case not only highlights the individual tragedy of the victim but also raises broader questions about societal norms, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and the role of the judicial system in upholding justice and human dignity. The swift and decisive action by the judiciary serves as a beacon of hope and a stern reminder that such acts of violence and humiliation will not be tolerated, ensuring that the echoes of historical injustices do not find a place in the modern era.
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