A man accused in a rape case has approached the Kerala High Court, asking for protection of his right to privacy and dignity. He wants the court to order the removal of online articles about his case from The New Indian Express and the bail order published on Indian Kanoon.
In his petition, he said that even someone facing a criminal trial has the right to dignity and privacy, which are guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
He also highlighted how media reports often ignore the principle that a person is “innocent until proven guilty.” He claimed that media platforms publish personal details and create public judgment before the court decides the case, which affects the accused’s right to a fair trial.
The petitioner is facing charges under Sections 376(2)(l) and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code. He was in judicial custody for over a month and is now out on bail granted by the Kerala High Court.
In his plea, the man said that the media coverage and the online publication of his name and full address have deeply affected his personal and professional life. The address published is where he lives with his wife and two young daughters.
Due to the online circulation of these articles in his professional network, the accused had to resign from some of his roles at the companies he worked for. The plea also mentions the rapid spread of information in today’s digital world, where even incorrect details can spread quickly and cause harm.
The petitioner has therefore asked the High Court to issue orders protecting his privacy, reputation, and dignity until the trial ends.
He is represented by advocates Geo Paul, Prem Kammath, CR Pramod, Radhika Rajasekharan, S Ashok Kumar, Simi V, Jacob George Pallath, Naveen TU, and Anil K Vincent.
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