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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court recently directed the Aam Aadmi Party Government in Delhi to set up 'One Stop Centres' for women in children in every district. The order was passed in a plea seeking action against media houses for disclosing the Hyderabad Rape case victim's name and identity.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad also directed the Delhi Government to establish the standards set forth by the Supreme Court for designating social welfare institutions or organisations to which the next of kin can grant permission for the declaration of a person's name.

The Supreme Court had noted in its 2018 decision that neither the central government nor any state government has acknowledged any such social welfare institutions or organisations to which the next of kin should grant the authorization.

In view of the above, the Apex Court had directed to set-up at least one 'one-stop centre' in every district.

It was observed that these facilities might serve as the main police station for the town or city, where all crimes against women and children would be reported.

Whereas, the High Court in this matter stated that the state governments are in contempt of the Supreme Court's direction for failing to adhere to the deadline set by the highest court for opening these centres within a year of the date of the Supreme Court's verdict on December 12, 2018, noting that the Delhi government has not yet followed the order.

However, the court opined that it is not acceptable to bring legal action against media organisations and people who have been reported or to order investigating authorities to declare the offence to have occurred.

Case Title: Yashdeep Chahal Vs Union of India & Ors.