State Police Orders District-Level Cases Against Cyber Attacks on Woman in Mamkootathil Case
Kerala Police have initiated a comprehensive crackdown on cyber attacks targeting a young woman involved in the high-profile Rahul Mamkootathil case. Following a direct complaint from the victim, ADGP H. Venkatesh has issued a state-wide directive, instructing police in every district to register cases against individuals perpetrating online harassment and the illegal circulation of her images.
The cyber-attack involved the widespread dissemination of the woman’s photographs across various social media platforms and messaging services. Among the images circulated controversially was a wedding photograph, falsely attributed to the complainant. While many of the original posts were subsequently removed by the perpetrators due to public outcry and legal implications, the initial damage caused significant mental distress to the victim.
In a related development, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) had previously filed a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) against Congress leader Sandeep Warrier concerning similar aspects of the online harassment. This police action underscores the state’s resolve to address the rising instances of cyber-bullying and privacy violations, particularly against women.
The directive also emphasizes the strict legal provisions against revealing the identity of victims in sexual assault cases. Under Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code, anyone who publishes or prints information disclosing the name, address, or any details that could identify a victim of sexual crimes (as defined under IPC Sections 376, 376A, 376AB, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB, 376E) is liable to imprisonment for up to two years and a monetary fine.
Furthermore, previous rulings by the Supreme Court, including a bench comprising Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta, have unequivocally affirmed that victims of sexual crimes possess an undeniable right to self-respect and privacy. Therefore, their identity must be protected and not revealed under any circumstances, a principle that the current police directive aims to robustly enforce across Kerala.