Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday voiced opposition against an act of the Delhi Police of registering a case against Zee News channel for broadcasting an interview of the gang-rape victim`s friend.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar under the leadership of BJP Delhi unit president Vijendra Gupta, and raised slogans against the Congress-led UPA Government and Delhi Police, two days after the friend of the gang-rape victim broke his silence for the first time since the horrific December 16 incident.
The Delhi Police have filed a case against Zee News for revealing the identity of the gang-rape victim by carrying an interview of her male friend who is the only witness in the case.
The case was filed against Zee News at Vasant Vihar Police Station under Section 228 (A) of the Indian Penal Code.
On Saturday, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had tweeted: "Delhi Police cannot muzzle voice of citizens by lodging a case against the channel. People have a right to know the truth.”
Party general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad had also said: "Such behaviour from the police is unacceptable. This is an attack on the freedom of the press."
Party leaders also hit out at the Delhi Police Saturday on the allegations by the December 16 gang-rape victim`s friend that policemen argued over jurisdictional area, losing precious time that might have proven crucial in saving her.
While chief of BJP Mahila Morcha Smriti Irani demanded Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar be removed, suspended party MP Ram Jethmalani slammed him for not conducting an inquiry and fixing responsibility for the lapse.
(With IANS inputs)
