New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday has taken a firm stand against the callous dissemination of a young trainee doctor’s identity following her tragic rape and murder in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court, recognising the deep violation of the victim’s privacy and dignity, issued a swift order for the removal of her name, photographs and video clips from all social media platforms.
This decisive action stems from a plea filed by lawyer Kinnori Ghosh and others, expressing deep concern over the widespread publication of the victim’s identity. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, acknowledging the potential for further trauma and exploitation, underlined the paramount importance of protecting the privacy of victims of sexual assault.
“The pictures and video clips of the body of the deceased has been circulating on social media…we direct that name, photographs and video clippings of the deceased be immediately removed from all social media platforms,” the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.
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The court’s order draws upon its 2018 judgment in the Nipun Saxena case, which established a clear legal framework for safeguarding the identities of sexual assault survivors. The judgment unequivocally prohibits the publication of the victim’s name or any information that could reveal their identity, be it in print, electronic, or social media platforms.
Earlier in the day, the apex court had said it was deeply concerned that the name of the deceased, who was assaulted and murdered, was published all over social media. “Photographs and video clips are all over the media. This is extremely concerning. We are first to recognise free speech but there are well-settled parameters. There are judgments of the court like in Nipun Saxena (case) that names of survivors of sexual assault will not be published,” the apex court said.