Supreme Court Directs Media to Follow Section 228A While Reporting on Rape Cases

Section 228A of IPC to be Followed by Media 

Today, the Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Subhash Reddy and MR Shah, held that Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code has to be followed by the media while reporting in cases involving victims of rape and sexual harassment. It is pertinent to point out that Section 228A makes it a punishable offence to disclose the identity of rape victims in the public domain. In the instant case, a rape victim was denied rental accommodation in Jharkhand as her identity was earlier revealed in a rape case. This made the petitioner take judicial recourse as she is the only caregiver for her dependent children.

Empathising with the plight of rape victims in such cases, the Supreme Court not only acknowledged the mental trauma faced by victims of sexual crimes but also considered the discrimination they face from society.

Authorities ordered to provide petitioner with housing under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna or any other Central or State Scheme

Notwithstanding the State's argument that the petitioner had earlier levelled false allegations of rape against individuals, the fact that one of the accused was convicted by a lower court is enough to treat the woman as a rape victim, the Court noted. 

Therefore the Bench ordered the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi to take measures to make sure that the petitioner's minor children are provided free education in any of the government institutions in Ranchi, where the petitioner is residing, till they attain the age of 14 years. 

Moving ahead the authorities have been directed to consider the case of the petitioner for providing housing under the Prime Minister Awas Yojna or any other Central or State Scheme. The senior superintendent of police, Ranchi and other competent authorities have been ordered to review the police security provided to the petitioner.