Delhi High Court Directs Police To File Status Report On PIL Alleging That Rahul Gandhi's Tweets Revealed Minor Rape Victim's Identity

The Delhi High Court's directive to the Delhi Police has intensified the legal scrutiny surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tweets concerning the rape and murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in a Delhi crematorium.

The court has asked for a status report within 10 days in response to a public interest litigation filed by activist Makrand Suresh Mhadlekar, who alleged that Gandhi's tweets violated laws protecting the identity of sexual assault victims.

Gandhi's tweets, featuring photos of the victim's parents, have sparked controversy, prompting legal action.

The court's emphasis on a status report reflects the urgency in addressing the concerns raised by Mhadlekar, who cited the Juvenile Justice Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in his plea.

The court will reconvene on 21 December to evaluate the submitted report.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has advocated for the registration of an first information report by the Delhi Police.

The delay in addressing the matter, nearly three years after the incident, has raised questions about the efficacy of the legal process.

Advocate Tarannum Cheema, representing Rahul Gandhi, informed the court that no formal notice had been issued to the Congress leader.

The court, in response, clarified that it would first examine the status report before deciding on further actions.

The case revolves around the tragic rape of a nine-year-old girl at a crematorium in Delhi's Purana Nangal area. The priest at the crematorium, along with three others, committed the heinous act when the girl had gone to fetch water.

Rahul Gandhi's subsequent visit to the victim's parents and the dissemination of photos on social media have become central to the legal debate.

The NCPCR had previously directed social media platform X to take down Gandhi's post, citing sensitive information about the victim's family.