Taking serious note of disclosure of a rape victim’s identity by a subordinate court, the Himachal Pradesh High Court Monday directed the trial courts not to mention names of rape victims in the judgments
Passing the order, Justice Surinder Singh slammed the subordinate courts for failing to maintain anonymity of the victim of a sexual offence.
“Not to repeat such mistakes in the future, lest it might affect your judicial career,” Singh noted while announcing a judgment in a rape case.
He reminded the trial courts of the apex court observations not to reflect the name of the rape victim in the judgment and as far as possible throughout the trial in order to save further embarrassment to the victim.
The court directed the Registrar General to circulate the copies of the apex court judgment to all the judicial officers in the state for strict compliance.
Section 228-A of Indian Penal Code guarantees anonymity to women who complain of rape. This enactment encourages rape victims to complain against attackers without facing public humiliation.
