Kochi: The state plans to implement a sexual offenders’ list, but the police stations in the state have been uploading FIRs online revealing the identities of women, who are complainants in cases relating to sexual abuse or outraging their modesty. This is a clear violation of the apex court order saying that the copies of FIRs, unless the offence is sensitive in nature, like sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism, POCSO Act and such others should be uploaded on the police website. FIRs with charges under section 354 of IPC and other similar offences are available on the state police's website.
A scrutiny of the e-FIR section of Kerala police's official website shows that some police stations even in Kochi city are not updating FIRs regularly. The Supreme Court order had observed that the decision not to upload the copy of FIR on the website should not be taken by an officer below the rank of DySP or any person. In the age of social media, the chances of victim shaming are high if the FIR is downloaded by a miscreant and shares it widely which will cause hardships for the victim. The court order states that the concept of privacy can be considered while dealing with the upload of FIR. Police sources claim that the FIRs are being uploaded following the court order. Mistakes might have crept in owing to the oversight of the official concerned.
