SC orders Wikipedia to remove Kolkata rape-murder victim's name
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Wikipedia to remove the name and photo of the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at a government hospital in Kolkata last month. "The identity of the victim should not be revealed in any way. Wikipedia should immediately remove the victim's photo and any content revealing her identity," a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said.
Court's statement on victim's anonymity
The Chief Justice emphasized that Indian law clearly states the identity of victims in rape and murder cases should not be disclosed. He instructed Wikipedia to comply with these legal provisions by removing any references to the victim's identity. The court had previously ordered social media platforms to remove the name, photos, and videos of the trainee doctor, citing that such disclosure violates its order passed in the Nipun Saxena case.
Previous court ruling on victim identification
In the 2018 Nipun Saxena case, the Supreme Court ruled that "No person can print or publish in print, electronic, social media, etc. the name of the victim or even in a remote manner disclose any facts which can lead to the victim being identified and which should make her identity known to the public at large." This ruling sets a clear legal precedent for maintaining victims' anonymity in such cases.
Nationwide protests and arrests follow Kolkata tragedy
The trainee doctor was found dead with severe injury marks on her body on August 9 morning at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This incident has led to nationwide strikes by doctors and protests. Three individuals, including a civic volunteer named Sanjoy Roy, the college's then principal Sandip Ghosh, and a police officer have been arrested in connection with the case.
CBI alleges evidence tampering in Kolkata case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case from Kolkata Police, has alleged attempts to destroy evidence by Ghosh and the police officer. In response to these allegations and ongoing protests, the Mamata Banerjee government shunted out the Kolkata Police chief and two health department officials. Despite this, junior doctors in West Bengal have vowed to continue their cease-work protest until all their demands are met by the state government.
