Section 228A IPC-Dhara 228A-Dafa-Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc

Section 228A IPC-Dhara 228A-Dafa-Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc:

 

 

¹[228A. Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc.— (1) Whoever prints or publishes the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C or section 376D is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) extends to any printing or publi­cation of the name or any matter which may make known the identi­ty of the victim if such printing or publication is—

(a) by or under the order in writing of the officer-in-charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation into such offence acting in good faith for the purposes of such investigation; or

(b) by, or with the authorisation in writing of, the victim; or 

(c) where the victim is dead or minor or of unsound mind, by, or with the authorisation in writing of, the next of kin of the victim: 

Provided that no such authorisation shall be given by the next of kin to anybody other than the chairman or the secretary, by whatever name called, of any recognised welfare institution or organisation. 

Explanation 

For the purposes of this sub-section, "recognised welfare institution or organisation" means a social welfare institution or organisation recognised in this behalf by the Central or State Government. 

(3) Whoever prints or publishes any matter in relation to any proceeding before a court with respect to an offence referred to in sub-section (1) without the previous permission of such Court shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation 

The printing or publication of the judgment of any High Court or the Supreme Court does not amount to an offence within the meaning of this section.]

CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE 

Para I 

Punishment—Imprisonment for two years and fine—Cognizable—Bailable—Triable by any Magistrate—Non-compoundable. 

Para II  

Punishment—Imprisonment for two years and fine—Cognizable—Bailable—Triable by any Magistrate—Non-compoundable. 

Comments 

Name of victim to be suppressed 

Section 228A of I.P.C. makes disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences punishable. Printing or publishing of any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 376, 376A, 376B, 376C or 376D is alleged or found to have been committed can be punished. True it is, the restriction does not relate to printing or publication of judgment by High Court or Supreme Court. But in view of the social object of preventing social victimization or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offence for which section 228A has been enacted, it would be appropriate that in the judgements, be it of Supreme Court, High Court or lower court, the name of the victim should not be indicated; State of Punjab v. Ramdev Singh, AIR 2004 SC 1290. 

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1. Ins. by Act 43 of 1983, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 25-12-1983).