Srinagar, Feb 10: (GNS) For what she termed as “rubbing salt to her injuries”, the lady doctor who complained of sexual assault by former Minister of State for Health has also lodged complaints against a Member Parliament, few journalists and some media organizations for revealing her identity before public.
According to reports reaching GNS, the lady doctor has filed complaints against Member Parliament from Udhampur constituency, Chaudhary Lal Singh and some media houses for disclosing her name before public.
In a statement issued to GNS, the doctor said she has lodged a complaint with SDPO Shaheed Gunj on February 8 requesting him to take appropriate action in accordance with law against some editors, publishers, printers, authors and Member of Parliament for defaming her character. “The assault was being discussed negatively which amounts to rubbing salt on my wounds,” she said in a statement, adding that such utterances pained her.
“It is very unfortunate that many newspapers and some persons are commenting on the event in a way which is very painful and far from norms. Such incidents (sexual assault) already torment the woman in our social setup and it needs enormous courage to raise voice against such crimes,” the lady doctor added. The doctor said that she has stood up for the safety of all the women at their workplace in Kashmir and has appealed to all concerned to repose trust in the institution of justice and refrain from politicizing the sensitive issue.
It is worth mentioning here that the disclosure of victim’s identity is prohibited under Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 as well as the Norms of Journalistic Conduct (2010) issued by the Press Council of India. A journalist cannot publish the name of the rape/assault victim in the report. If he does so he will violate the Norms of Journalist Conduct released by the Press Council of India. He will also be prosecuted under Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code and maybe punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to pay fine. (GNS)