YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been heavily criticized for revealing the name of the victim in the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case through a hashtag. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, as naming the victim is seen as a violation of privacy and legal norms. Rathee had previously faced backlash for allegedly deleting a post on X (formerly Twitter) about the case, with critics accusing him of bowing to pressure from the ruling government in West Bengal.
In his deleted post, Dhruv Rathee referred to the case as “Justice For Nirbhaya 2,” a comparison that drew criticism for being insensitive.
In response, Dhruv explained that he removed the post after reflecting on feedback that it was inappropriate to label the victim as “Nirbhaya 2.”
However, the controversy deepened when Rathee, while discussing the tragic incident, included the victim’s name in a hashtag, leading to further criticism. In his post, he highlighted the poor working conditions and lack of safety for doctors in West Bengal and called for a fast-tracked CBI investigation.
The post quickly went viral, prompting reactions from social media users who pointed out that disclosing the victim’s identity is against the law, even if authorized by the next of kin. Advocate Prashant Umrao emphasized that the Supreme Court has ruled against revealing the identity of rape victims, especially if they are deceased or of unsound mind.
The shocking rape and murder of the trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, allegedly committed by Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with a history of violence against women, has horrified the nation.
