RG Kar Hospital Rape & Murder | Remove Name, Photos & Videos Of Deceased Doctor From Media & Social Media: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today (August 20) directed the immediate removal of all social media content including any references to the name or pictures and videos taken of the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata. 

The bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud comprising of Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing a petition filed by two practicing lawyers who sought a direction to the effect of removal of content disclosing the identity of the deceased victim from all social media platforms. 

"This Court is constrained to pass an order since it is apparent that the social and electronic media have proceeded to publish not only the identity of the deceased but photographs of the dead body after the recovery of the body."

"We accordingly direct that all references to the name of the deceased victim and photographs related to incident shall forthwith be removed from all social media platforms including electronic media platforms in compliance with this order."

The Court taking note of the concerns raised, observed that the widespread circulation of the photographs and videos of the body of the deceased on social media spaces like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc was in violation of the directions laid down by the Top Court in Nipun Saxena v. Union of India. In the said decision the Court had directed that " In cases where the victim is dead or of unsound mind the name of the victim or her identity should not be disclosed even under the authorization of the next of the kin, unless circumstances justifying the disclosure of her identity exist, which shall be decided by the competent authority, which at present is the Sessions Judge." 

It may be noted that during the Suo-Motu hearing of the  RG Kar Hospital Incident today, the Top Court while expressing disappointment over the systemic failure of the State of West Bengal in handling the vandalism at the protest site, also directed the constitution of a National Task Force to suggest recommendations on the modalities to be followed to ensure the safety of medical professionals. 

Additionally, the Court has also directed the deployment of CISF for the protection and safety of resident doctors (especially female doctors) at the RG Kar Hospital.  

KINNORI GHOSH AND ANR. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. Diary No. 37158-2024 

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