For the second time in a row, the Hassan district police have published the identity of a victim of sexual violence on their official blog.
Director-General and Inspector-General of Police L.R. Pachau had promised corrective measures after The Hindu published a report, >‘Karnataka police blogs name victims of sexual offences’ on January 6. However, the publishing of the name of a minor girl who was raped by her neighbour, shows that the promise has just remained on paper.
The Class 6 student in Sakaleshpur taluk was raped on November 13, 2011. The police registered a case and filed a charge sheet in December after conducting the investigation. Following the trial, the accused was convicted of the crime and the District and Sessions Court on July 22 this year sentenced the accused to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment, and a penalty of Rs. 20,000 and another six month’s imprisonment if failed to pay penalty.
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The blog of the Hassan police has published the name of the victim along with other details of the case. This attracts punishment under the Section 228A of Indian Penal Code, according to which whoever prints or publishes the name of the victim of sexual offences shall be punished with imprisonment of for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.
Similarly, the Clause 23(2) of the Protection of Child from Sexual Offences Act 2012 also bars disclosure of the victims of sexual offences. The Act states any person who contravenes the provision shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment of either description for a period which shall not be less than six months, but which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.
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