Writes to top cop demanding action against officials involved in leaking complainant’s information in media
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) is again at loggerheads with the media and the Delhi Police over the information “leaked” about the complainant of the rape incident that took place at the Brahumputra Hostel on August 20 evening.
In this regard, the JNUSU has written to the Commissioner of the Delhi Police demanding action against police officials involved in leaking the complainant’s information in the media. The JNUSU has expressed dismay with “several media houses” calling their reportage “highly insensitive and dangerous”.
“We are extremely pained and shocked to note the highly insensitive and dangerous reporting by several media houses about the rape that took place at JNU on August 20. One particular newspaper carried a report on August 24 revealing political affiliation of the complainant. We have come to know that the courtroom was vacated during the proceeding of the hearing day before this report was published and no journalist was allowed to be present there. The fact that details of the hearing came out on the newspapers indicates towards leakage of information including details of the identity of the complainant by the police,” stated the memorandum signed by various left-leaning JNUSU leaders including vice-president, Shehla Rashid Shora.
The memorandum mentioned that on the next day of the incident, police sent information to the media about the FIR that was filed against the accused. “The Press brief included indication of the identity of the complainant. In another incident message is being circulated among journalists about FIR which included graphic details about the rape incident described by the complainant in the FIR. Such indications which reveal the identity of the complainant are a serious offence and distressing in the way information is getting leaked though the media,” it further mentioned.
The JNUSU has sought answers from the Delhi Police about its role in leaking the information about the complainant. They have demanded “strict action” against the involved policemen.
“We seek the answer on the above mentioned role of the Delhi Police in leaking information that harms the interest of the complainant. We also demand that strict action should be taken against police officers responsible for such acts.”