YASHDEEP CHAHAL vs UNION OF INDIA - 2023 Supreme(Del) 299

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2023 Supreme(Del) 299

SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD
YASHDEEP CHAHAL – Appellant
Versus
UNION OF INDIA – Respondent

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioners: Chirag Madan, G. Sai Krishna Kumar, Ravleen Sabarwal, Smirdhi Sharma, Deepesh Bahadur.
For the Respondents: Chetan Sharma, Ajay Digpaul, Amit Gupta, Kamal Digpaul, Sahaj Garg, Swati Kwatra, Nitin Sharma, Sumant Narang, Ranjeet Singh Sindhu, Nisha Bhambani, Rajat Arora, Mariya Shahab, Atul Batra, Kundan Mishra, Shahrukh Ejaz, Harnek Kaur, Tejas Karia, Gauhar Mirza, Amee Rana, Thejesh Rajendran, Saransh Jain, Shloka Narayanan, Abhishek Kumar, Sneha Dey, Rebecca John, Chinmay Kanojia, Kashyap, R. Luthra, Anushka Baruah.

JUDGMENT :

SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD, J.

1. The instant PIL has been filed highlighting the disclosure of the identity of a victim of gang-rape that took place in Hyderabad in November, 2019. It is stated that while covering the incident, the media houses have disclosed the name of the victim, her photographs along with other personal information. The Writ Petition has been filed with the following prayers:

“(i) To allow this Writ Petition.

(ii) To direct the respondents to initiate appropriate proceedings against the media houses and reported individuals in accordance with the law.

(iii) To issue fresh composite directions to the respondents to prevent the exposure of identity on online platforms, either directly or indirectly, extent of blurring required in publishing pictures and to ensure awareness regarding their due compliance.

(iv) To issue directions to prohibit the publication of pictures of the accused even before the trial has begun in the case.

(v) To direct the investigation authorities to conduct themselves in a restricted manner so as to prevent the supply of information on the merits of the case to the media and common public before the investigation is complete.

(vi) To order imm