A PIL challenging the validity of the statutory restriction on disclosure of names of accused and victims in rape cases by the media was today "dismissed as withdrawn" by the Allahabad High Court.
The petition, filed by a local Nagaraja Mohan and another, had come up for hearing before a division bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Suneet Kumar.
The petitioners had challenged the validity of Section 228 (A) which restrains the media from publishing the names of the accused and the victim in cases of rape unless permitted by a court or authorised by the investigating officer or the victim herself or in the event of the victim having been dead or of unsound mind.
The petitioners, who had sought to implead Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Uttar Pradesh government and several media houses as parties, were of the view that publishing the names of the accused would act as a deterrent against the backdrop of increasing incidents of crimes against women.
However, the court made it clear at the outset that it did "not intend to interfere" in the matter following which the petitioners made a request for permission to withdraw the PIL, which was granted.
