Attempts to intimidate DCW, media: Maliwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who was recently booked for allegedly revealing a rape victim’s name in a notice, has written to Delhi

NEW DELHI: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who was recently booked for allegedly revealing a rape victim’s name in a notice, has written to Delhi Police commissioner Alok Verma alleging that attempts are being made to intimidate the DCW and media.

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“A plain reading of the FIR shows that this FIR is baseless and completely untenable in law. Not only are the charges incorrect, it is also baseless for I never disclosed the minor’s name. Moreover, all statutory requirements were observed by the commission and the undersigned while dealing with the matter,” the letter said.

Maliwal said she has been informed several journalists covering DCW have been questioned by the police. “It is also shocking that not only DCW but even the media is being targeted in this case by the police,” she said.

The 14-year-old Dalit girl, who was also allegedly forced to drink acid, died last week after battling for life for over a month.

Last week, an FIR was registered against the DCW chief for allegedly revealing her name in a notice to Burari SHO.

Her name was also revealed in a press release issued by the DCW to the journalists on a WhatsApp group. However, minutes later an apology was sent for “mistakingly” revealing the name and urging journalists to not use it.

While Maliwal had not commented on the press release, she had dismissed the charge of revealing the victim’s name.

In a letter to the SHO, Maliwal had demanded that the rape case be transferred to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior officers of proven competence and the parents of the victim be promptly provided effective security and protection.