Delhi HC Asks Twitter To Apologise For Revealing Hyderabad Rape Victim's Identity

The Delhi High Court has warned Twitter that a fine of Rs 10 lakh will be imposed on the microblogging site if it does not file its response to a PIL which has sought action against media houses and social media platforms for disclosing the identity of the Hyderabad rape victim. "File an affidavit stating that you (Twitter) will not repeat it. What are you waiting for? If you are not filing the affidavit, we will impose costs," a bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel told the social media platform.

The bench said the high court had earlier in the past imposed costs of Rs 10 lakh on media houses for revealing identity of a minor rape victim and warned, "we do not want to repeat that order". The court has given Twitter four weeks time to file its response and posted the matter for further hearing on May 4.

The court was hearing a PIL by lawyer Yashdeep Chahal seeking action against certain media houses and social media platforms, like Twitter, where some individuals had revealed the identity of the Hyderabad rape victim.

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The petition has claimed blatant violation of Section 228A by individuals, media houses and social media platforms by publishing elaborate reports revealing the identity of the victim and the four accused in the Hyderabad rape case on various online and offline portals.

A 26-year-old doctor was allegedly raped and killed in Shamshabad, Telangana, by four men on the night of November 27. According to the Cyberabad Police, the four accused punctured the rear wheel of her scooter, offered to help her, dragged her to a secluded spot close to a toll plaza and raped her. The police killed the accused in an "encounter".