BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi (file pic)
New Delhi:
BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi today informed the National Commission for Women that she did not reveal the name of the woman journalist, who has accused Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault, on twitter. Ms Lekhi alleged that this is an attempt to malign her.
The BJP spokesperson also sought to know why the National Commission for Women had not taken any action when Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Congress leader Alka Lamba and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had reportedly revealed names of victims in other cases in the past.
Ms Lekhi, a lawyer by profession, insisted in her reply that she had not violated Section 228A of the IPC which deals with disclosure of identity of the victim in certain offences.
"I am well versed in the subject and sensitive to the issue not to realise the sanctity of secrecy or the necessity to protect the identity of a rape victim to be involved in any crude attempt reveal the same. I have not disclosed the name or identity of the victim," Lekhi said in her reply.
"No disclosure can be attributed to me as what has been 'printed and published' cannot be imputed to me. The condition precedent for attracting Section 228A IPC is not satisfied," she added.
She claimed that her Twitter handle and mobile phone were misused. Denying the charge against her, Ms Lekhi pointed out that her tweet does not "make known, lay bare nor even remove from secrecy or ignorance" the person.
Ms Lekhi also said that the identity of the woman was in public domain even before her tweet and yet the National Commission for Women had not taken any action.
The BJP leader had earlier said that her Google account was hacked and even a fake Twitter account was created.
"The very circumstances of the case suggest that the law has been invoked to malign me and create controversy without regard to the victim whose interest is sought to be protected," Ms Lekhi alleged.
She also pointed out that the tweet was removed immediately.
The BJP spokesperson also sought to know why the National Commission for Women had not taken any action when Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Congress leader Alka Lamba and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had reportedly revealed names of victims in other cases in the past.
Ms Lekhi, a lawyer by profession, insisted in her reply that she had not violated Section 228A of the IPC which deals with disclosure of identity of the victim in certain offences.
"I am well versed in the subject and sensitive to the issue not to realise the sanctity of secrecy or the necessity to protect the identity of a rape victim to be involved in any crude attempt reveal the same. I have not disclosed the name or identity of the victim," Lekhi said in her reply.
"No disclosure can be attributed to me as what has been 'printed and published' cannot be imputed to me. The condition precedent for attracting Section 228A IPC is not satisfied," she added.
She claimed that her Twitter handle and mobile phone were misused. Denying the charge against her, Ms Lekhi pointed out that her tweet does not "make known, lay bare nor even remove from secrecy or ignorance" the person.
Ms Lekhi also said that the identity of the woman was in public domain even before her tweet and yet the National Commission for Women had not taken any action.
The BJP leader had earlier said that her Google account was hacked and even a fake Twitter account was created.
"The very circumstances of the case suggest that the law has been invoked to malign me and create controversy without regard to the victim whose interest is sought to be protected," Ms Lekhi alleged.
She also pointed out that the tweet was removed immediately.
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