Delhi HC lambasts media for disclosing identity of Kathua rape victim [Read order]

The Delhi High Court today came down heavily on several media houses for disclosing the details of the Kathua gang rape victim, and issued notice to them, as well as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting..An eight-year-old girl was brutally gang raped and then killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua region, sparking massive outrage across the country..The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar took suo motu cognizance of the coverage of this heinous crime by the media and named several networks and publications including NDTV, CNN-News 18, Times of India and Hindustan Times, among others, for violating norms..Justice Mittal, who was visibly distraught, stated that it was painful to see that none of the organisations and authorities, who claim to be working for the welfare of women and children, complained about the illegality being committed by the media houses..The Bench has prohibited the media from disclosing personal details of the victim and appointed Senior Advocate Arvind Nigam as the amicus curiae in the matter..The matter will next be heard on April 17..Today, a group of advocates in the Supreme Court urged the Chief Justice of India to take cognizance of the conduct of lawyers in Jammu & Kashmir in the Kathua rape case..Read the order below.