Chandigarh : The incident described involving the assault and public humiliation of a 55-year-old woman in Tarn Taran is deeply disturbing and calls for urgent action. It’s heartening to see that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of the matter, treating it as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) after Administrative Judge Justice Sanjay Vashisth referred it to the Acting Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia for consideration.
Justice Vashisth’s note, drawing parallels to the historical event of Draupadi’s humiliation in the Mahabharata, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate intervention by the judicial system. The fact that the incident was captured on video and circulated on social media adds to its egregiousness.

The delay in police action, as highlighted in the note, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing such heinous crimes promptly. The High Court’s decision to issue notice to the State of Punjab indicates a commitment to ensuring accountability and justice for the victim and her family.

It’s imperative that the authorities undertake a thorough investigation into the matter, ensure the safety and well-being of the victim and her family, and take stringent action against the perpetrators. The adjournment of the matter until April 30 signifies the seriousness with which the High Court intends to pursue this case.

Ultimately, incidents of gender-based violence and the violation of women’s rights cannot be tolerated in any society, and it’s encouraging to see the judiciary taking proactive steps to address such injustices.