Pollachi sexual abuse case: reissue order without revealing complainant’s identity, HC tells govt

If the identity of the victim is revealed, how will any one come forward against such atrocities, it asks.

Students staging a demonstration in Madurai, demanding justice in Pollachi sexual abuse case.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the State to reissue the Government Order (G.O.) with regard to transferring the Pollachi sexual abuse case to CBI, without revealing the identity of the complainant.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S. S. Sundar observed that it was appropriate that the G.O. was withdrawn and reissued without disclosing the identity of the girl who came forward to expose the case.

“The cries of the victim is still echoing in our ears,” the judge said. “If the identity of the victim is revealed, how will any one come forward against such atrocities,” he asked.

Pulling up the authorities concerned in revealing the identity of the girl, the court said they could be dealt with departmentally by the State.

'Shock waves across the country'

The judge said the incident had sent shock waves across the country. “Let it be an eye-opener. Such incidents should not happen again,” the court said

suo motu impleading the Internet Service Providers in the case and asked the State and Centre to sensitise public to the usage of Internet.

The court directed the State to advertise that sharing and circulation of such videos is an offence. The court further mooted introduction of chapter on cyber crimes at school levels.

Recommending compensation to the victim, the court transferred the case to the Principal seat at Madras given its jurisdiction.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed S. Ilamuhil from Tiruchi who sought an order restraining the spread of the video and regulate social media.