The MHA directive comes in the wake of media houses publishing the name with a photo in the gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from Jammu Kashmir’s Kathua.
According to newslaundry said that the order stated the name of the minor victim under POCSO can only be permitted by the special court if it is in favour of the child.
While reiterating that “no person can print or publish in print, electronic, social media etc the name of the victim or identify her in a remote manner”, the MHA noted, “In cases where victim is dead or of unsound mind, the name of the victim or her identity should not be disclosed even under the authorisation of the next of the kin, unless circumstances justifying the disclosure of her identity exists, which shall be judged by the competent authority, which at present is the Session Judge.”
