Media warned of legal action if victim's identity disclosed
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 27 November 2013 21:53 IST
Mediamen & public gahtered outside Panaji JMFC building
Goa police today warned the media, especially the national electronic media, to take legal action if the victim girl’s identity is disclosed in any manner, in the case of an alleged rape by Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal.
The national electronic media has been camping in Goa from the time FIR against Tejpal has been filed by the crime branch, charging him of rape and outraging modesty.
The police however today got irritated when the TV cameras were installed outside the JMFC court in Panaji, where the victim girl was brought to depose before the judge.
This obviously spread a word around and people in large numbers gathered outside the court, obviously to see the girl victim coming out.
This drama was going on since 10 in the morning when the victim girl entered the court till 6 o’ clock in the evening when the deposition was over.
Even when the TV cameras were not removed in spite of repeated requests made by the police authorities, DIG O P Mishra warned that he would not hesitate to take action against the media if the girl’s identity was disclosed in any manner.
“Remember it is a cognizable offence and we can take legal action against it”, he warned at the press conference, which he delayed with a request to move away the cameras from the court.
In order to hide the girl’s identity, the police then camouflaged her by getting five more lady constables, dressed like her and with the face covered, while leaving the court.
