Cops told not to name sexual abuse victims

A circular issued on Saturday from the office of the DGP, addressed to all unit officers, directed them not to reveal the identity of the victims involved in POCSO, rape and women harassment cases. The communication referred to the recent judgement by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to not reveal the name, address or any particulars of the victim in any form of communication.

The investigation officers should send the reports in a sealed cover to the courts, it said, adding, “The names of the victims should not be mentioned in any communication to Range, Zonal and Divisional Offices from the police station.”

All police commissionerates and SPs in districts have been given strict instruction in this regard.

All unit officers were also told that the fresh instruction on the subject should be communicated to all subordinates without fail, directing them that any deviation in this regard should be viewed seriously. The instruction should be reiterated during every monthly review meeting, DGP TK Rajendran said.