UP Police in line of fire over revealing rape victim’s name

The Uttar Pradesh police,in damage control mode,said that it had ordered an inquiry into the issue and would take “necessary departmental action” against the concerned

personnel.

“The way police have behaved is wrong as well as dangerous. I think they should have knowledge about such issues and then only they should speak….Revealing identity of the victim is very wrong,” Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath

NCPCR chairperson Shanta Sinha said,”This is also a cognisable offence and I think UP government must take disciplinary action against the policemen concerned. We have

asked for a report and if found true,we will take action.”

CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat also demanded stern action against the policemen. “The press release issued by police revealing the identity of the victim is absolutely

wrong,” she said.

The 17-year-old girl was raped in a moving car by five men on Friday night on Delhi’s outskirts when the victim,a student of Class X,had gone with them to a birthday party of

one of the accused.

While four youths — Himanshu Sharma,Rahul Arya,Saurabh and Sunil– were arrested earlier,their fifth accomplice Neeraj was nabbed today.

All the five were produced in the district court and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.

Neeraj was arrested from Sector 53 area today.

The victim,meanwhile,alleged that she was raped by one of the accused on an earlier occasion also and the culprits had “done the same” to one of her friends as well.

The NCPCR chairperson said,”You cast aspersions on such a vulnerable girl and that you are a public servant and you are insensitive to the vulnerability of the children.

“This is totally objectionable and we have taken suo-motu cognisance of this,” she said,adding the act of revealing the identity of a minor rape victim was against the Juvenile

Justice Act.

UP State Women’s Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of Noida police’s disclosure of rape victim’s identity in a press release distributed by Superintendent of Police Anant

Dev.

“There is a Supreme Court ruling that in such cases never disclose the identity of the victim.. So we have sought a report in this regard. Let their answer come and the we will act on it,” UP State Women’s Commission spokesperson said

The Commission has sent a notice to SSP Meerut along with IG Meerut and UP Home Secretary seeking clarification.

SSP Jyoti Narayan told reporters today that an inquiry has been ordered.

“After the rape incident mediamen had contacted us and wanted details of the case. The press release was not approved by me. Inquiry has been ordered as to who prepared the release document and how it is released to press,” he said.

“The allegation is that the name of the victim was mentioned. It’s wrong. I have ordered an inquiry by Additional Superintendent of Police. I am waiting for his report. After the inquiry, we will take necessary departmental action against the concerned police personnel,whether they are officers or subordinate staff,” the SSP said.

Recounting her ordeal,the victim said she was on her way to tuitions when she met her friend Rahul,who invited her for his birthday party.

“I refused to go as I had to go for tuitions…They said I will have to come and sit quietly in the car. They took me somewhere and they made me drink alcohol and raped me. They had done the same to one of my friends as well as,” she alleged

“He is raping me for the first second time. This is not the first time. First,I threatened him but they threatened me back saying we will tell,you will have to come,” she claimed.