Did Sharing Delhi Cantt Rape Minor's Identity Cost Rahul Gandhi His Twitter Account?

Rahul Gandhi Twitter account was temporarily locked for alleged violation of policy after the Congress politician revealed the identity of the parents of the minor victim in the horrific Delhi Cantt rape case online, the microblogging platform told Delhi High Court Wednesday. Twitter said they also pulled down the tweet in question.

Under Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, publishing materials that disclose sensitive data or personal information about a minor below the age of 18 in any form of media is punishable by law.

Gandhi's tweet reportedly had a picture of the parents of the 9-year-old Dalit girl whose alleged gangrape and death in the national capital on August 1 has sparked national protests and calls for urgent action in the case. Read more on the case here.

The case in court, pursuant to a social activist's petition seeking the registration of an FIR against Gandhi for allegedly violating the law, was heard by a bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh.

Rahul Gandhi Twitter Locked? Here's What The Social Media Platform Said

Gandhi's photo tweet last week had also prompted a notice from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to Twitter India with regard to its takedown. The social activist's plea meanwhile argues that the tweet violates Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act and Section 23 of POCSO.

"We have removed that tweet. It is against our policy as well," counsel for Twitter told the bench, as per Live Law. Lawyers for the petitioner argued against Twitter's reply and asked them to submit on record an affidavit.

The court, following up on Twitter's reply, said they were "very responsible" to have removed Gandhi's disputed tweet "even without asking from the court." The matter has been listed for September 23.

As told to the Indian Express, Congress spokespersons have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "intimidating Twitter" in the event of Gandhi's account being locked.

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