The Delhi High Court has directed the city government to set up a one-stop center in each district that can be used as a central police station where all crimes against women and children in the city will be reported as per the Supreme Court’s 2018 directions. may be registered in compliance.
The High Court noted that the State Governments are already in contempt for not complying with the deadline fixed by the apex court for setting up such centres, within one year from the date of the judgement, ie December 11, 2018.
“This shows that even though the judgment in Nipun Saxena was delivered by the Apex Court on December 11, 2018, the directions contained in paragraphs 50.7 and 50.9 have not yet been complied with. Therefore, we direct the GNCTD to act under Sec. 228-A(3) IPC and lay down the criteria as directed by the apex court.
A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramaniam Prasad said, “The state is also directed to set up one stop centers in every district in compliance with the judgment of the apex court.”
As per section 228-A(3), whoever prints or publishes any matter in connection with any proceeding before any court in respect of the offense specified in sub-section (1) (rape and sexual assault) without the previous sanction of the Court, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.
The provision also states that the printing or publication of a judgment of any High Court or the Supreme Court is not an offense within the meaning of this section. The order passed on January 24 was made available on the website of the High Court on Friday.
The High Court order came on a plea by some media houses against revealing the identity of the Hyderabad rape victim in 2019.
The petitioner, Delhi-based lawyer Yashdeep Chahal, had approached the High Court in 2019, alleging that there was a gross violation of Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by individuals and media houses who disclosed the identity of the victim. A detailed report was published revealing. and the four accused in the Hyderabad rape case on various online and offline portals.
A 26-year-old doctor was allegedly raped and murdered by four men on the night of November 27, 2019, in Shamshabad, Telangana. term which may extend to two years and with fine.
The High Court was informed by the Amicus Curiae appointed to assist the Court in the matter that a similar case is pending before the Telangana High Court with regard to compensation to the victims and criminal action under Section 228A of the IPC. Petitions.
The bench said, “Since a similar matter is pending before the Telangana High Court, this Court does not find it appropriate to initiate proceedings against the media houses and the reported persons or to direct the investigating officers to take cognizance of the offence.” ” Argument.
In the order, the high court referred to the apex court’s December 2018 judgment asking states and union territories to set up ‘one-stop centres’ at least in each district of the country for the benefit of children and women . years from the passing of the judgment. The top court had said that these one-stop centers can be used as a central police station where all crimes against women and children in the town or city are registered and they should have well-trained staff Who are sensitive to the needs of children and women. who have been sexually abused.
“Adequate training should be given to this staff to ensure that they talk to the victims in a sympathetic and sensitive manner. Counselors and psychiatrists should also be available on call at these centers so that the victims can be counseled if required and In some cases it can be done.” If the counselors interrogate the victims in the manner in which they have been trained to deal with victims of such crimes, it would be appropriate.”
It had further said that these one-stop centers should also have adequate medical facilities to provide immediate medical assistance to the victims and medical examination of the victims can be conducted at the center itself.
The apex court’s ruling came on a plea seeking directions to ensure that child victims of rape and sexual abuse are protected so that they are not subjected to unfortunate ridicule, social ostracism and harassment. Be
(with inputs from agencies)
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