Swati Maliwal assault case: Delhi HC shows displeasure over ‘Publicity Interest Litigation’ against media reporting

New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday showed its displeasure to the petitioner, who filed a public interest litigation over the circulation of an FIR copy related to Aam Aadmi Party Swati Maliwal’s alleged assault case on social media, several television channels and newspapers.

The plea sought direction from social media engines and media organizations not to disclose the name or address other identities of the victim in sensitive matters such as rape/molestation/ POCSO cases.

It also sought directions to the respondents or the public at large to pay special attention while dealing/reporting including that of social media with such sensitive ease against victims of rape/molestation/POCSO cases.

The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora after hearing the initial submissions, termed the plea as “publicity interstate litigation” and refused to entertain the plea.

The court also questioned the petitioner that when the victim was herself going to all channels and talking about it, who are you to file a PIL? The court later showed displeasure with a lawyer for filing a frivolous plea and warned that we would have to complain against you to the bar council.

Noting the adverse remarks from the judges, the petitioner Sanser Pal Singh withdrew the petition.

Recently, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal, who has filed an assault complaint against Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar, has said she was told that if she files a police complaint, the party will portray her as an agent of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).