The Jharkhand High Court has upheld charges against Jamtara MLA Dr. Irfan Ansari for sharing the identity of a minor rape victim in a WhatsApp news group. Ansari, a state legislator, was accused of circulating the victim’s name, address, and photograph to the media via the group “Nala News,” leading to charges under multiple sections of Indian law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The case dates back to 2018, when Ansari, after visiting a hospital where a four-year-old rape victim was admitted, shared her details and photos alongside a press note. Although his secretary was initially the only one charged, since the messages were sent from Ansari’s phone, the trial court later extended charges to Ansari himself.
Justice Arun Kumar Rai emphasized that the disclosure of a minor victim’s identity in any form—including social media like WhatsApp—violates Indian law. Despite Ansari’s claim that his secretary was responsible for sending the messages, the court ruled that criminal liability couldn’t be dismissed without a full trial. The court further clarified that WhatsApp groups fall under the category of “media,” thereby reinforcing the protection laws.
As a result, the High Court refused to dismiss the charges, stating a prima facie case against Ansari.
