NCW notice to Amit Malviya, Digvijay Singh, Swara Bhaskar for revealing identity of Hathras victim

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued notices to BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and actress Swara Bhasker for allegedly revealing the identity of the Hathras gang-rape victim on Twitter and has sought an explanation from them.

The Commission has also directed them to immediately remove the posts and refrain from sharing such information in the future.

Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) prohibits the disclosure of the identity of a rape victim and makes such disclosure a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to a fine.

The Supreme Court has in a catena of judgments directed that secrecy be maintained with regard to the name of a rape victim.

Also Read: SC asks UP to provide it with plan to protect Hathras gang rape victim's family; terms incident "shocking and horrible"

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the reported gang rape and brutal mutilation of the 19-year-old woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste in Hathras district. The deceased was cremated hurriedly on September 30 in the absence of her family members.

The UP Government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is facing a barrage of criticism over its 'high handedness' in dealing with the case.