Noida: UP Police on Monday came under attack for
making public the identity of Noida gangrape victim with Union
Minister Krishna Tirath demanding action against the erring
cops even as the last of the five accused was arrested.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
(NCPCR) and UP State Women's Commission have issued notice to
the state government asking it submit a report.
The Uttar Pradesh police, in a damage control mode, said
that it had ordered an inquiry into the issue and would take
"necessary departmental action" against the concerned
personnel.
"The way police have behaved is wrong as well dangerous.
I think they should have knowledge about such issues and then
only they should speak....Revealing identity of the victim is
very wrong," Women and Child Development Minister Krishna
Tirath said.
NCPCR chairperson Shanta Sinha said, "This is also a
cognisable offence and I think UP government must take
disciplinary action against the policemen concerned. We have
asked for a report and we have if found true, take action."
CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat also demanded
stern action against the policemen. "The press release issued
by police revealing the identity of the victim is absolutely
wrong," she said.
The 17-year-old girl was raped in a moving car by five
men on Friday night on Delhi's outskirts when the victim, a
student of Class X, had gone with them to a birthday party of
one of the accused.
While four youths -- Himanshu Sharma, Rahul Arya, Saurabh
and Sunil-- were arrested earlier, their fifth accomplice
Neeraj was nabbed today.
All the five were produced in the district court and
remanded in judicial custody for 14 days.
Neeraj was arrested from Sector 53 area today.
The 17-year-old victim, meanwhile, alleged that she was
raped by one of the accused on an earlier occasion also and
the culprits had "done the same" to one of her friends as
well.
The NCPCR chairperson said, "You cast aspersions on such a
vulnerable girl and that you are a public servant and you are
insensitive to the vulnerability of the children.
"This is totally objectionable and we have taken suo motu
cognisance of this," she said, adding the act of revealing the
identity of a minor rape victim was against the Juvenile
Justice Act.
UP State Women's Commission has taken suo motu cognisance
of Noida police's disclosure of rape victim's identity in a
press release distributed by Superintendent of Police Anant
Dev.
"There is a Supreme Court ruling that in such cases never
disclose the identity of the victim.. So we have sought a
report in this regard. Let their answer come and the we will
act on it," UP State Women's Commission spokesperson said
The Commission has sent notice to SSP Meerut along with IG
Meerut and UP Home Secretary seeking clarification.
SSP Jyoti Narayan told reporters today said an inquiry has
been ordered.
"After the rape incident mediamen had contacted us and
wanted details of the case. The press release was not approved
by me. Inquiry has been ordered as to who prepared the release
document and how it is released to press," he said.
"The allegation is that the name of the victim was
mentioned. It's wrong. I have ordered an inquiry by
Additional Superintendent of Police. I am waiting for his
report. After the inquiry, we will take necessary
departmental action against the concerned police personnel,
whether they are officers or subordinate staff," the SSP said.
Recounting her ordeal, the victim said she was on her way
to tuitions when she met her friend Rahul, who invited
her for his birthday party.
"I refused to go as I had to go for tuitions...They said
I will have to come and sit quietly in the car. They took me
somewhere and they made me drink alcohol and raped me. They
had done the same to one of my friends as well as," she
alleged.
"He is raping me for the first second time. This is not
the first time. First, I threatened him but they threatened me
back saying we will tell, you will have to come," she claimed.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 27, 2012, 19:09