HC bars disclosure of sexual assault survivors’ identity

The Delhi High Court has directed the city police to ensure that the name, parentage or address of a survivor of sexual assault is not disclosed in any document or report filed before courts.

- TDG NETWORK

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Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma called upon the Commissioner of Delhi Police to issue appropriate instructions to all station house officers (SHOs) and investigating officers to strictly comply with the law prohibiting disclosure of the identity of survivors of sexual offences.

The court passed the direction while rejecting a bail plea filed by an accused in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. It “noted with concern” that the name of the prosecutrix had been mentioned in the status report filed by the investigating officer in the present case.