Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case against a social media news channel for disclosing the name and identity of a rape victim in this central Kashmir district.
An official said that after the recent incident of analleged rape of a teenage girl in Ganderbal the news channel on social mediacarried a story about the victim and revealed her identity which is inviolation of the rules and Supreme Court guidelines. “The PrincipalJuvenile Justice Board Ganderbal took cognisance of the matter and passeddirections to police to take legal action against such media persons,” theofficial added.
He said that following the directive the Police filed an FIRNo. 102/2019 U/S 23 POCSO Act, 228-A RPC against the media person, whodisclosed identity of the rape victim. “We want to inform the general publicthat the publication of real name of rape victim is a criminal offence underPrevention of Children from Sexual Offence Act (POCSO Act),” he added.
Pertinently the Supreme Court in a judgement has said thatmedia should be cautious not to “sensationalise” such cases. “Thoughthey have an obligation to report such matters, they are also duty bound not todisclose the identity of such victims, including minors. No person can print orpublish in print, electronic, social media, etc the name of the victim or evenin a remote manner disclose any facts which can lead to the victim beingidentified and which should make her identity known to the public atlarge,” the Supreme Court had said.