Cyber Abuse On Safoora Zargar : Delhi Commission For Women Takes Suo Moto Notice; Seeks Report From Delhi Police

The DCW has issued notice to the Delhi police seeking information on FIR in respect of online attack and details of the accused, by May 10.

27-year old Zargar was arrested by the Delhi Police last month allegedly for leading the anti-CAA protests at Jaffrabad metro station of Delhi in February, 2020. She has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

On Monday, she faced massive criticism on Twitter, questioning her virtue and character. Serious remarks have been made against the legitimacy of her marriage and pregnancy.

Taking cognizance of the same, the DCW has asked the Delhi Police about the measures taken to remove the posts outraging her modesty from social media.

"The Delhi Commission for Women is in receipt of multiple complaints regarding abuse and character assassination of arrested research scholar, Ms. Safoora Zargar.

It is stated that a vilification campaign is being run against her and her unborn child on social media and misogynistic comments are being made. It instated that several comments outraging her dignity and threatening her family have also been made," said the notice issued by DCW.

Condemning the "misogynistic" remarks being made about Zargar, DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal said that the charges against Zargar were being investigated and were subject matter of a pending-trial. However, the same did not confer authority on anyone to make such scathing remarks against her.

"Ms. Zargar is facing the court of law and is currently in jail. The case against her is sub-judice and the law shall take it's own course. However, the same does not give anyone the right to outrage her modesty and abuse her and her family," the Commission said.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Commission has sought the following information from the Delhi Police:

• Copy of the FIR registered in the matter of online abuse and attacks on Ms. Zargar;
• Details of the accused identified and arrested in the matter;
• Measures taken to remove the posts outraging her modesty from social media;

"Considering the gravity of the matter, please provide the above said information latest by 10.05.2020," the notice states.