Divya slammed for her post
Actress-producer Divya Khosla gets slammed for revealing the identity of Pearl V Puri’s alleged sexual abuse survivor’s parents
The molestation case of a minor, which sent the TV actor and model to 14 days’ judicial custody, has become the hottest topic among Bollywood fraternity. The said incident had supposedly taken place a couple of years ago.
While several celebs have extended their support to the Naagin 3 actor, T-Series honcho Bhushan Kumar’s actress and producer wife Divya Khosla Kumar seems to have taken her support a little too far. While showing her support for the actor via a series of Instagram posts, she got carried away and revealed the identity of the parents of the victim who accused Pearl of the molestation — thereby identifying the victim too.
Netizens have since been slamming Divya for being irresponsible. Calling it ‘an insensitive act’, they are livid for her not caring for the girl, who they assume would get bullied and shamed in her school for the trauma.
A LAWFULLY PUNISHABLE OFFENCE…
Lawyer Manasi Chaudhari, who earlier assisted Justice DY Chandrachud in Supreme Court, clarifies that revealing the identity of a rape/molestation survivor is an offence, which makes Divya liable for legal prosecution for violating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO).
While many on social media call out Divya for her irresponsible act, she’s being slammed for victim-shaming the child. Reminding us that that POCSO is gender-neutral, Rachna Waddepalli, Advocate, High Court of Telangana, informs us that when such a matter is filed in the High Court registry, the name of the victim is not written; instead, it’s the parents’ name that’s put down.
“In this case, the parents’ identity (photo) was revealed, which may not be an offence unless someone starts indulging in a mudslinging game in this issue,” says Rachana.
Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code makes it a criminal offence to disclose or publish the identity of a rape victim. The punishment is up to two years imprisonment and fine.
CELEBS SHOULD BE SENSIBLE
— MANASI CHAUDHARI, lawyer
Divya’s case has been a classic example of how celebs (or common man, for that matter) must be more sensible in their conduct in public.
While agreeing that Instagram is a mere platform with a rather apparent lack of control in terms of what is posted on it, Aparna Rayaprol, professor and former head in the department of sociology at the University of Hyderabad, says that permission of the concerned party has to be taken before revealing an identity.
“As Instagram falls under the scope of a public platform in more than one way, there are certain norms to be followed,” Aparna explains. “While we cannot judge people and their behaviour in the public courtroom and though we know such acts fall under irresponsible public behaviour, celebs should act more responsibly.”
Especially in the case of sensitive matters such as a child’s sexual abuse, it is only ideal to refrain from posting any content on the pubic platform.
— APARNA RAYAPROL, professor and former head, department of sociology, University of Hyderabad