In a first of its kind case, the police have arrested the Admin of a Facebook page of Belagavi for Disclosing the Identity of Rape Victim in one of its posts recently.
The Harugeri police station has recorded and FIR and the Admin has been arrested.
It may be recalled that a three-year-old girl was raped and murdered in last week of September by her uncle, in Kurubagodi village of Raibag taluk of Belagavi district which falls under the Harugeri police station limits. The admin of a Belgaum Page has been booked under IPC, IT act, section 23 of POSCO ( No person shall make any report or present comments on any child from any form of media or studio or photographic facilities without having complete and authentic information, which may have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy.)
What the law Says:
Under the Indian Penal Code Section 228-A (Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc)Sub Section (1): Whoever prints or publishers the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, or section 376D is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.
The Press Council of India Journalistic Conduct Norms:
No names to be published or disclosed, no photographs to be used, no particulars leading to identity of victim to be published.
(While reporting crime involving rape, abduction or kidnapping of women/females or sexual assault on children, or raising doubts and questions touching the chastity, personal character and privacy of women, the names, photographs of the victims or other particulars leading to their identity shall not be published.)
The fundamental guideline for the media with regard to reporting on sexual violence against children, is to protect the identity of the child. (National Human Rights Commission)
Reference: http://www.thehoot.org/resources/reporting-rape, IPC sections
Stupid admin. Well deserved.