New Delhi: Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal voiced serious concerns in the Supreme Court on Tuesday regarding the safety of his female colleagues, who have been targeted with threats for their role in representing the West Bengal government in a rape-murder case from Kolkata. Sibal urged the court to halt the live-streaming of the proceedings, arguing that it has led to harassment and jeopardized the safety of those involved. Chief Justice DY Chandrachuds responseChief Justice of India DY Chandrachud acknowledged Sibals worries but emphasized that live-streaming court proceedings serves the public interest by ensuring transparency. He assured Sibal that the court would take necessary actions if any threats were directed at lawyers involved in the case. “We will not stop the live-streaming it is in the public interest, its an open court,” Chief Justice Chandrachud stated.Sibal highlights serious threats and misrepresentationSibal detailed the severity of the threats, which included alarming cases of intimidation such as threats of acid attacks and rape directed at the women in his chambers. He also noted that his actions in the courtroom were being misrepresented, with false social media posts suggesting he was laughing during serious proceedings, a claim he vehemently denied. “Our reputation is getting destroyed overnight,” Sibal lamented, highlighting the negative impact of public scrutiny on the lawyers involved.Chief Justices assuranceUnderstanding the gravity of the threats, Chief Justice Chandrachud reassured Sibal that the court would take appropriate measures to protect all individuals involved, regardless of gender. He promised that any threats would be thoroughly addressed and safety measures would be implemented to safeguard the lawyers.Details of rape-murder caseThe case that has drawn this attention involves the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The court was informed that unauthorized photographs of the victim were being circulated on social media, which violates legal restrictions. In response, the court issued an order for Wikipedia to remove any content disclosing the victims identity, adhering to legal protocols for protecting victims privacy.
