Judges question Delhi Police's knowledge of law

In a series of orders passed in various district courts in the city, judges have raised questions about police officers' knowledge of law. The questions pertained to cases wherein names, parentage or addresses of child victims were revealed in the chargesheets filed in courts.

According to Section 33 (7) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the identity of a child victim cannot be disclosed during the course of investigation or trial. Despite these directives, many chargesheets revealing the identity of child victims have been filed in courts.

Judges termed this blatant violation of provisions regarding confidentiality and directed that "the names and addresses of child victims in chargesheets and annexures be covered with fluid".

"Identity of a child victim can be revealed through her/his address and address of his/her parents. This is gross violation of the provision," Additional Sessions Judge Nivedita Anil Sharma said, in an order dated July 19.

The court further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to ensure that in future, no chargesheet filed discloses the name and address of child victims and also the names and address of her/his parents.

On the same day, three orders passed by the same judge, revealed that the cops had revealed the identity of a child victim in the chargesheet. The judge also directed that the CD of the file, annexed with the chargesheet, should not have any mention of the child victim's identity.