Non-Disclosure of Rape Victim’s Identity Must be Strictly Followed: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court expressed concern that the legal rule protecting the identity of rape victims is still not being properly followed.

It directed all High Courts to strictly ensure compliance with Section 228A of the IPC, which prohibits disclosure of a victim’s identity, even in older pending cases before the Nipun Saxena judgment.

The Court noted that this protection has always been part of the law but is often ignored in court records.

These observations came while restoring a conviction in a rape case, where the Court also clarified that minor inconsistencies in testimony should not weaken the prosecution’s case.

[State of Himachal Pradesh v. Hukum Chand @ Monu]