HC directs media to remove news identifying rape victim
New Delhi, May 29: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed media organisations to remove news items disclosing the identity of an eight-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.
The direction by a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar came after it was told that despite the court's order to not identify the girl, some of the news organisations are still naming the child in news items.
The court sought the names of such media organisations.
Observing that notice has not been served to one of the newspapers till now, the court said it was shocking that a newspaper is not aware of pending litigation despite the wide publicity of the news related to the matter.
The court noted that none from that media organisation had turned up for appearance before it and listed the matter for July 16 for further hearing.
It had observed that several internet platforms and social networking sites are extensively displaying the photographs and the name of the victim.
The court last month directed 12 media organisations to pay Rs 10 lakh each as compensation for disclosing the identity of the girl, saying that there were long term repercussions for the victim's family, especially for the women members, due to such kind of reporting.
The court said they had violated the law and could be punished under Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code.
Under Section 23 (Procedure for media) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, any person who discloses the identity of a child victim could be sentenced to a minimum six months' imprisonment, it said.
The minor in Kathua was held captive inside a temple and sedated before being repeatedly raped and murdered.
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Congress using COVID-19 probe as weapon against BJP: MP K Sudhakar
Chikkaballapura (Karnataka), Nov 15: BJP MP K Sudhakar on Friday accused the Congress government of using the investigation into COVID-19 management during the BJP regime as a "political tool" against his party.
The Congress government, based on the recommendation of Justice John Michael D’Cunha, has initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in COVID-19 management under the BJP’s administration.
“Let them investigate. They have turned investigations into weapons against us. We are ready for any probe. We worked with conscience and saved lives during COVID-19, while Congress leaders stayed indoors,” Sudhakar told reporters.
He defended the previous BJP government’s handling of the pandemic, highlighting the risks taken by officials and health department employees during the crisis.
Sudhakar criticised the Congress for altering the scope of the investigation, noting that the D’Cunha Commission had only submitted an interim report.
“The investigation is incomplete. Based on a preliminary inquiry report, a cabinet sub-committee led by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was formed. Within a month, they have also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT),” he said.
Responding to Congress allegations that the BJP government purchased PPE kits at Rs 2,100 each from China and Hong Kong instead of locally available kits priced at Rs 330, Sudhakar questioned the availability of PPE kits at the time.
“Where were the PPE kits? The then Chief Minister Yediyurappa and Health Minister Sriramulu procured them through discussions with the Centre and imports from China,” he said.
Sudhakar dismissed the Congress’s claims as "politically motivated", and alleged that the party aims to "tarnish" BJP leaders’ reputations.
“The Congress wants to portray BJP leaders as villains, but this will not benefit them. The wheel of time keeps turning, and we will see where they stand when it does,” he remarked.
