Manipur Child Rights Body Demands Urgent Action Over Unlawful Disclosure of Minors’ Identities in Alleged Guwahati Rape Case Involving a Girl Student and Five Boys
TFM Report
Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has issued a stern letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) in Guwahati, calling for immediate intervention to stop the unlawful public disclosure of the identities of students, including confirmed minors, who are under investigation in a highly sensitive case of alleged rape.
The case, registered as Pragyiyotishpur Police Station Case No. 125/25 on September 17, 2025, involves five students from a Guwahati based University who are accused of an alleged sexual assault on a young woman. The MCPCR states that few of the accused students have been verified as minors, officially classifying them as Children in Conflict with Law (CCL), and are currently held at an Observation Home.
In a communication dated September 19, 2025, MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar expressed grave concern that the incident is being “widely circulated on social media platforms, electronic media, and news agencies” with captions that directly identify the students and imply a “gang rape” by five students. This reporting, the Commission asserts, is a clear and flagrant violation of Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
A Violation of Law and a Threat to Ethnic Harmony
Section 74 of the JJ Act explicitly prohibits the publication of any information that may reveal the identity of a child in conflict with law, including their name, address, photograph, school, or any other particular that could lead to their identification. The Act prescribes severe penalties for such violations, including imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to Rs. 2,00,000, or both.
The Commission’s letter highlights that the unlawful disclosure is not just a legal matter but also a severe threat to public order. It notes the “ongoing volatile ethnic situation in Manipur for the past two years” and apprehends that “such unverified and sensationalised reporting may further aggravate tensions, not only within Manipur but also in other states such as Tripura and Assam.”
Three-Point Demand for Action
The MCPCR has made three urgent requests to the Assam Police:
- Cyber Crime Intervention: The Cyber Crime units of both Assam and Manipur must immediately intervene to identify and curb the unlawful circulation of the minors’ names and identities online.
- Media Directives: Necessary directions must be issued to all media houses and social media platforms, instructing them to adhere strictly to the JJ Act and immediately remove any content that violates its provisions.
- Official Clarification: The police department should issue an official, unbiased clarification on the facts of the case to counteract the “distorted and inflammatory narratives” currently spreading.
Balancing Justice and Child Protection
Chairperson Pradipkumar clarified the Commission’s stance, stating, “The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights stands firmly against all forms of atrocities and crimes against women, particularly sexual violence.” However, he emphasized that the Commission is “equally bound to ensure the protection of innocent minors from wrongful implication and to uphold the right of privacy and confidentiality guaranteed to Children in Conflict with Law.”
The letter urges a thorough investigation to ensure no innocent child is falsely implicated, thereby safeguarding their “dignity, social image, and future career.”
Media Reports in Question
The MCPCR’s letter references several media reports that appear to have flouted these legal norms. Outlets, including northeastlivetv.com and India Today NE, published articles explicitly naming the university and detailing the alleged crime and the students’ suspension. Furthermore, videos shared widely on social media platforms like Facebook have circulated the names and images of the accused, drawing widespread public condemnation and risking trial by media.
The Commission has copied the letter to the Director General of Police, Manipur, and the Director of Social Welfare, Manipur, for necessary action. The MCPCR has requested an acknowledgment of receipt and information on the action being taken to address this critical issue.
Developing News Story
It has been observed that there has been a disturbing message being circulated on social media and messaging platforms regarding the serious alleged crime, highlighting the dangerous intersection of vigilante justice, legal threats, and the fraught online discourse surrounding sexual violence.
“The message, which appears to be authored by an individual or group claiming some authority, begins by branding certain students as “Rapist” and calls for their identities to be publicly revealed and made viral, encouraging a trial by media and mob. This directly contradicts established legal procedures and the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’”, said a lawyer who has been handling juvenile and criminal cases in Manipur.
However, the message takes a contradictory turn by simultaneously issuing a stern warning to those revealing the alleged victim’s identity, correctly citing defamation laws (Sections 499-500 of the Indian Penal Code) and emphasizing the devastating impact such disclosure would have on her life and career. The anonymous author concludes with a threatening tone, stating, “So be humble or we gonna humble you at the same police station,” attempting to position themselves as both an agitator for public shaming and a protector of the victim’s privacy.
“This mixed messaging exemplifies the chaotic and often harmful nature of online responses to sensitive crimes, where well-intentioned calls for support for a victim can be dangerously intertwined with calls for unlawful vigilante action against the accused, potentially jeopardizing the formal investigation and the rights of all involved”, observed the same lawyer.