UP Police in line of fire over revealing rape victim's name

UP Police on Monday faced rebuke for revealing the identity of Noida gangrape victim with the Centre directing action against erring cops and seeking a compliance report from the state government.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and UP State Women's Commission have also issued notice to the state government and the police asking them to submit a report.

A fifth person was today arrested in connection with the gangrape of the 17-year-old girl, a student of Class X, who was targeted by the five accused on Friday night on Delhi's outskirts when she had gone with them to a birthday party of one of the accused.

In an apparent damage control exercise, SSP, Noida, Jyoti Narayan told reporters today that an inquiry had been ordered into the issue and "necessary departmental action" would be taken against the concerned personnel.

"Police officers should know that identity has to be protected as per law in certain cases. This kind of attitude by the police is very dangerous," Minister of State for Women and Child Development (Independent charge) Krishna Tirath said while referring to the Noida gangrape case.

The ministry has shot of a letter to the UP government asking it to sensitise police officers about how to handle cases related to crimes against women. Tirath said that her ministry planned to write such letters to all state governments.

In the letter to the UP government, Additional Secretary Sudhir Kumar has apprised the state Chief Secretary Anoop Mishra that the incident was "all the more unfortunate as the identity has been disclosed by those who are themselves responsible for enforcing the law."

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.

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 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.

The SSP said, "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.

"The allegation is that the name of the victim ws mentiuoned. 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.