Removed ‘offending’ tweet by Rahul, Twitter tells HC

Twitter on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it has removed an offending tweet posted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, sharing a picture of himself with the parents of nine-year-old alleged rape and murder victim in the capital.

Appearing for Twitter, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya said: “We (Twitter) have locked that account and the tweet is no longer available. It violates our policy as well. This is the status as on date.” Gandhi’s account has also been blocked as his August 5 tweet was in breach of its policy, he added. However, the petitioner’s advocate insisted that the company should file an affidavit to that effect. “Why are you saying this? Why will they lie? There is no reason to disbelieve them (Twitter). They have acted so responsibly,” the court said.

The Delhi High court posted the matter for hearing on September 27. The Delhi High Court was hearing PIL seeking directions to Twitter and Delhi police to take action against Rahul Gandhi for disclosing the identity of the nine-year-old rape victim and her family on Twitter. Maharashtra-based social activist Makarand Suresh Mhadlekar in his petition alleged that Rahul Gandhi has violated Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and Section 23(2) of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012. Both the provisions mandate that the identity of the child victim of a crime shall not be disclosed. The petition also sought legal action against Rahul Gandhi by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights for making public the identity of minor Dalit girl who was allegedly raped and killed in Nangal village of the Delhi Cantonment area.