‘Tweet Disclosing Identity of Rape Victim Taken Down’: Rahul Gandhi’s Counsel to Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition seeking for the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for disclosing the identity of an alleged rape victim.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora was hearing a 2021 petition filed by social activist Makarand Suresh Mhadlekar seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi for revealing the identity of the victim by publishing a photograph with her parents on X (Previously Twitter).

Revealing the identity of a rape victim is an offense under Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), punishable with imprisonment up to two years and a fine.

The Delhi Police informed the court that an FIR had been filed against Gandhi for his social media post, revealing the identity of the alleged rape victim, and further investigation is underway.

Gandhi’s counsel informed the bench that he had taken down the tweet disclosing the identity of a minor Dalit girl allegedly raped and murdered.

The counsel for social media platform X (formerly Twitter) confirmed to the court that Gandhi deleted the tweet himself.

The court, having considered the submissions of the said parties, stated that the prayers in the petition stand satisfied and disposed of the petition.