Assam: ASCPCR Demands of CID Enquiry Into Disclosure of Identity of Minor Victim

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) has approached the CID of Assam Police in order to investigate the disclosure of the identity of the minor social media who was allegedly raped and murdered. They have also written to the DC and the SP of Tinsukia regarding the matter.

Extreme anger is what the people of the state of Assam demonstrated when the incident came to light on Wednesday. While the local people protested by burning tyres and blockading roads, others took part in protests on social media and a hashtag trended demanding justice for the victim. But among them, some people started sharing actual pictures of the victim instead of representative images.

ASCPCR was forced to take action when the pictures of the minor girl went viral on social media. They have demanded the CID to register a suo moto case in this regard. “The disclosure of the identity of the rape victim is an offence under Section 23(2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2005.” mentioned the ASCPCR while adding “Violation of this prohibition is a criminal offence, punishable with six months to one year in jail as well as a fine.”

The Section 23(2) of the POCSO Act prohibits the disclosure of the identity of a child victim of sexual offences. Details “including his name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or any other particulars which may lead to the disclosure of the identity of the child” cannot be shared.

Also, Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act prohibits the disclosure of the “name, address or school or any other particular,” which can be used to identify a child who is a victim of any crime, or even a child who is accused of committing a crime, as well as children who are witnesses to a crime.

Also Read: Protests Across Assam’s Margherita Following the Suspected Rape and Murder of Minor

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