MeitY directs social media platforms to remove all identifiable references of RG Kar Medical College incident following SC order

Demonstrations and protests continue against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on August 21 asked social media platforms to comply with a Supreme Court order mandating the removal of all identifiable references to the rape and murder victim of the RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata incident.

The IT ministry referred to an SC order dated August 20 in the case titled Kinnori Ghosh vs Union of India', and pointed out that the court has directed to remove all references to the name of the deceased, along with any photographs and video clips.

In light of this order, IT ministry emphasised the importance of adhering to the Court's directive to safeguard the privacy and dignity of the victim, and asked social media platforms to take immediate action to ensure compliance with this order.

Failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s order may result in legal consequences and further regulatory action, the ministry said.

The Supreme Court order from August 20, says, "This Court is constrained to issue an injunctive order since the social and electronic media have proceeded to publish the identity of the deceased and photographs of the dead body after the recovery of the body."

"We accordingly direct that all references to the name of the deceased in the above incident, photographs and video clips shall forthwith be removed from all social media platforms and electronic media in compliance with this order," the order added.

Additionally the ministry also asked social media platforms to inform the government about the action taken in response to the compliance of the SC order.