An original police complaint against journalists of three TV news channels over airing alleged edited videos of a minor linking it to a rape case is “untraceable”, the Gurugram police informed a special POCSO court. The complaint by a relative of the 10-year-old at a Gurugram police station was filed on December 14, 2013.

Additional sessions judge Ashwani Kumar has now directed Gurugram police commissioner Vikas Kumar Arora to form a committee and fix the responsibility of the erring officials.

“Since the complaint is not traceable hence, Commissioner of Police, Gurugram is directed to constitute a proper committee to enquire into the matter and to fix the responsibility of the erring police official and is further directed to take appropriate action against him according to law,” read the July 3 order.

The complaint alleged that three news channels — News 24, India News, and News Nation — aired “edited”, “obscene” videos allegedly of the child and her family, and linked it to a sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

A total of 15 journalists of the three media houses were also booked in the case under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 469 and 471 (which relate to forgery) of the Indian Penal Code; section 67B (abusing children online) of the Information Technology Act; and section 13C (indecent or obscene representation of a child) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. These journalists included Chitra Tripathi, Deepak Chaurasia, and Ajit Anjum, among others. 

Police have filed chargesheet against eight journalists. The police have also filed a closure report for five journalists, including two directors of India News and News 24. 

The prosecution has challenged the final report. And the court has also questioned the police investigation and asked that without knowing the name of the directors, how could the investigating officer file a final report. It asked the police officials to collect documents “pertaining to the owners, publishers, and directors”. The matter will be next heard on July 12.

Newslaundry had earlier reported all about the 2013 POCSO case against the news anchors. Read here. 

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