The Supreme Court of India has ordered that the identity of the woman doctor, who was a victim of rape and murder in Kolkata, be removed from all platforms. The court directed the central government to ensure that the name, photo, and videos of the woman doctor are taken down from all social media and electronic media platforms. This order came after a petition was filed by two lawyers from West Bengal.
The bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, stated that revealing the identity of a rape victim is a violation of her dignity and also goes against the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling. The court also mentioned that Section 73 of the Indian Penal Code prohibits the disclosure of such identities.
SC: Identity of Rape Victim Cannot Be Disclosed
During the hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized that revealing the identity of a rape victim in media is against the established legal guidelines. The court reiterated that under no circumstances can the identity of a rape victim be disclosed.
SC Criticizes West Bengal Government
Earlier, the Supreme Court had taken suo moto (on its own) cognizance of the case. The court criticized the West Bengal government for the incident and highlighted the need for better security and facilities for doctors and medical staff. The court formed a 14-member task force to develop a national protocol for the safety of medical professionals. This task force is required to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.
Body Found in Hospital Seminar Hall on August 9
On August 9, the body of the trainee woman doctor was found in the seminar hall of Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. She was the victim of rape and murder. This incident has sparked protests across the country. Following an order from the Calcutta High Court last week, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation of this case.
