Advertisement

Updated January 9th, 2021 at 10:08 IST

Delhi High Court issues notice to Facebook for revealing identity of Hathras rape victim

The Delhi High Court has sought replies from several leading news publications & social media platforms who had allegedly revealed the identity of the victim.

Reported by: Swagata Banerjee
Delhi
| Image:self
Advertisement

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to Delhi government, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and various media houses on a petition seeking action against them for allegedly disclosing the identity the Hathras gang-rape victim in publications and online posts.

A division bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh who issued notices on the petition and also sought replies from the media houses have listed the matter for further hearing on February 5. The petition has sought a direction to the Delhi government to ask the social media platforms and media houses to take down any information on the details of the identity of the victim in Hathras gang rape case. 

READ | 'UP Govt Couldn't Suppress Truth': Priyanka Vadra Hails CBI Chargesheet In Hathras Case

Petitioner Manan Narula, who filed the PIL through advocates Suman Chauhan and Jivesh Tiwari, alleged gross violation of section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sought lodging of FIR against all the news organisations who published information relating to the victim that disclosed her identity to the public at large.

READ | Hathras Case: CBI Files Chargesheet; 4 Accused Persons Charged With Gangrape & Murder

The actions of such disclosure of the identity of the victim of rape is an offence under Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and there has been no action taken on behalf of the respondent no. 1 (Delhi government) which is the law enforcement agency empowered to take notice of such offences, it said. During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer informed the court that hashtags were used on Twitter with the name of the Hathras rape and murder victim by a large number of people including celebrities and cricketers.

Standing criminal counsel of Delhi Government Rahul Mehra stated that the issue of disclosure of a rape victim's identity was very serious, especially in the age of social media. However, Mehra disappointedly said that the petitioner ought to have moved the trial court under Section 156(3) for seeking lodging of an FIR against the offenders.

READ | ED Arrests PFI Youth Wing's National Secretary; Rauf Linked To Hathras, Delhi Riots

READ | Hathras Case: AAP Demands CM Yogi's Resignation After CBI Charges All Accused Of Gangrape

HC seeks reply from some of the known media houses

The Delhi High Court also sought replies from several leading publications, social media platforms and news organisations who had allegedly also mentioned or revealed the identity of victim in some capacity.

(With PTI Inputs)

Advertisement

Published January 9th, 2021 at 10:07 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Delhi: Man Arrested For Killing A Man During Pub Fight In Pitampura Bar
a few seconds ago
Congress Press Conference
a few seconds ago
L&T Shipbuilding facility
7 minutes ago
Pooja Vastrakar
9 minutes ago
Crew posters
34 minutes ago
Big Communication Gap Within the Congress: Sanjay Nirupam Targets Party Leadership | EXCLUSIVE
35 minutes ago
VST Tillers Tractors
36 minutes ago
High-net-worth women show a nuanced approach to wealth with interest in alternative investments and cautious risk tolerance.
36 minutes ago
Shreyas Iyer
41 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo