Delhi rape case trial to be held in-camera
NEW DELHI: Even as the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) notified new guidelines on reportage of sexual abuse, a Delhi court on Monday restrained the media from reporting on the court proceedings in the Delhi gang rape case and directed in-camera hearing.
The court order came soon after the police refused to produce the five of the six accused before the metropolitan magistrate as a huge crowd of journalists, lawyers and onlookers packed the courtroom in the Saket district court premises.
The court said it would not hear the case unless the crowd dispersed. Metropolitan magistrate Namrita Aggarwal said there was no space in the courtroom to present the five accused and left for her chamber. Around 40 security personnel were also deployed inside the courtroom for security.
The gang-rape and the subsequent death of the girl has led to agitations all over the country. Zee News is also facing a case for telecasting an interview of the girl?s friend, who too was brutally assaulted on 16 December.
Adding to the controversy, a foreign publication has published the girl?s name by claiming that they had the permission from the girl?s father to do so. However, according to reports, the girl?s father has denied having given permission to any foreign media house to reveal his daughter?s name.
Two lawyers, Krishan Nautiyal and Neeraj Kumar, representing media reporters told the court that Delhi Police had issued an advisory to the media not to report the court proceedings. "They have no power to issue such kind of advisory to media," the lawyers said.
The court said it would not pass any order on that; an order would be passed if the prosecution filed an application.