Kochi: The Kerala High Court has extended its interim order restraining coercive action against former Director General of Police (DGP) and BJP councillor R. Sreelekha, an IPS officer of 1987 batch, in connection with a case alleging disclosure of the identities of minor sexual assault survivors through her YouTube channel.
The interim relief continues to protect the former IPS officer from coercive measures while the court considers her petition challenging the criminal proceedings initiated against her.
Case Relates to Alleged Disclosure of Survivors’ Identity
The case stems from allegations that R. Sreelekha, through content published on her YouTube channel, disclosed details that could reveal the identities of minor survivors in the Kiliroor and Kaviyoor sexual assault cases.
The allegations relate to information that could enable identification of the victims, an act prohibited under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The law bars the printing, publishing, or dissemination of any material that directly or indirectly reveals the identity of child victims of sexual offences.
Museum Police Registered the Case
Based on the allegations, the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case against the former DGP under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
The police alleged that the content shared through her YouTube channel contained information capable of identifying minor rape survivors, thereby violating statutory protections granted to child victims.
High Court Continues Interim Relief
While hearing the matter, the Kerala High Court extended its earlier order restraining the police from taking coercive action against R. Sreelekha.
The extension of interim protection ensures that no coercive measures will be initiated against the former DGP until further orders of the court.
The High Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations, and the criminal proceedings will continue to be examined in accordance with law.
Background
R. Sreelekha is a former Director General of Police in Kerala and currently serves as a BJP councillor.
The criminal case pertains to alleged remarks made on her YouTube channel concerning the high-profile Kiliroor and Kaviyoor sexual assault cases, where authorities claim the disclosures could potentially reveal the identities of minor survivors in violation of the POCSO Act.
The matter will now proceed before the Kerala High Court for further consideration.
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