Arunachal Child Rights Panel Orders Legal Action Against Media for Revealing Identities of Abuse Victims

The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has taken strong action against media outlets and individuals for exposing the identities of minor sexual abuse victims from Sanggo Residential School in Mebo, East Siang District. The Commission, headed by Chairperson Ratan Anya, has directed the police to register criminal cases against those responsible for the violation of child protection laws and privacy norms.

The action was initiated after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of videos, photographs, and other media content revealing the identities of the child victims being circulated across social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Among the violators, the media outlet “Satik Samachar” was specifically named in the order. The Commission noted that such acts constitute a grave breach of multiple legal provisions, including Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, and Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These laws strictly prohibit the publication or disclosure of any detail that could lead to the identification of a child victim involved in a sexual offence case.

The order referenced key Supreme Court judgments — including Nipun Saxena v. Union of India (2018) and Kinnori Ghosh v. Union of India (2024) — which reaffirmed that revealing the identity of a child victim violates their fundamental right to privacy and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Commission emphasized that such violations not only traumatize the victims further but also undermine the core principles of justice and child protection.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Siang District has been instructed to identify all media houses, digital platforms, and individuals responsible for publishing or circulating such material. The SP must register First Information Reports (FIRs) against the offenders and ensure that publishers and media owners are held “jointly and severally liable” under the POCSO Act. Those convicted could face imprisonment between six months and two years, along with fines up to ₹2,00,000, depending on the specific legal provision invoked. Editors, reporters, publishers, and employees of the offending media organizations could face criminal prosecution if found complicit.

Furthermore, the Commission ordered all media outlets and social media intermediaries to immediately remove the offensive content within 24 hours of receiving the order. Platforms such as Facebook and YouTube have been instructed to delete videos, photographs, and posts, block the URLs involved, and prevent the re-uploading of such material. The District Magistrate (DM) has been directed to work closely with the police and issue notices to all media houses to strictly comply with legal and privacy provisions.

In addition, the Director of Information and Public Relations has been asked to issue a state-wide advisory reminding all media organizations of the prohibition against disclosing the identities of child victims of sexual abuse. The order also stressed the need for child-friendly investigation procedures, ensuring that victims are not further harassed by the media and are provided with proper psychological counselling and support.

All concerned authorities have been instructed to submit compliance reports within 72 hours, detailing the actions taken, FIRs registered, and the list of accountable individuals or entities. The Commission has reserved the right to approach the High Court for further directions and to recommend disciplinary action against any officer failing to comply with the order. It also warned that non-compliance could result in criminal prosecution, monetary penalties, and contempt proceedings.

To promote long-term awareness, the District Magistrate has been tasked with organizing sensitization workshops for media personnel, police officials, school administrators, prosecutors, and community leaders. These workshops will focus on the legal and ethical responsibilities of protecting the privacy and dignity of child victims, emphasizing a child-centered approach in reporting and investigation.

Through this order, the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sent a clear message that violations of child privacy and dignity will not be tolerated and that all agencies — from the media to law enforcement — must work collectively to uphold the legal protections and emotional well-being of child victims.