21 September,2018 08:20 AM IST | New Delhi | Agencies
Cops escort accused Brajesh Thakur to a court. File Pic/AFP
There cannot be a "blanket ban" on media reporting on cases of rape and sexual abuse but such incidents should not be sensationalised, the Supreme Court (SC) said on Thursday.
It made the observations after vacating a Patna high court order restraining the media from reporting on the probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case where several women were allegedly raped and sexually abused over a period of time.
Asking both the print and the electronic media not to "sensationalise" incidents of sexual assaults and abuse and report such cases responsibly so as not to reveal the identity of the victim, a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta issued notices to the Press Council of India, Editors Guild of India, News Broadcasting Standards Authority and News Broadcasters' Association seeking their assistance in the matter.
The bench said it would need the help of these bodies on the issue of media reporting in such cases as it was related to the criminal justice system and Press freedom.
"Meanwhile, the blanket order passed by the Patna HC on August 23 with regard to media reporting (in Muzaffarpur shelter home case) is vacated," it said.
ALSO READ
Long queues at voting centres as first ever hawkers polls in city begin
'Ensure local body election in Ahmednagar conducted in 'right earnest''
West Bengal: Junior doctors' stir over RG Kar horror to continue despite SC direction
Kolkata doctor rape-murder: SC expresses concern over missing autopsy document
Important matters heard by Supreme Court on Monday
Govt official among four detained
The CBI has detained four persons, including an official of the social welfare department of Bihar in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur, officials said. The case came to light after a social audit was conducted by the Mumbai-based TISS.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever