SC raps Centre for inaction on rape videos on social media

The Supreme Court on Friday sought explanation from the Centre over delay in registering an FIR after two rape videos were circulated on social media.

A social justice bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit expressed their displeasure after noting Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh's submission that the CBI registered eight FIRs and held one preliminary enquiry into the matter on March 12.

“You have to tell us what you were doing from February 27 --when order for FIR registration was issued -- till March 12. It is unfortunate that you did not do it in February itself,” the bench censured the government counsel.

The court had ordered CBI probe to apprehend the culprits after taking suo motu cognisance of a letter about two rape videos posted on WhatsApp. During the hearing, the court directed the government to take immediate measures to identify and nab the culprits behind the act and circulation of the videos on WhatsApp.

The law officer submitted that a nodal officer was to be appointed to coordinate with Information Technology Ministry.

“Unless you pounce on those people, these acts will be repeated. What is damaging is that it is circulated for pleasure of the people,” the bench observed.