Srinagar, August 31: The Child Protection Authority (CPA) in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, has imposed a ban on the dissemination of photos, CCTV footage, and other identifying information related to child suicide attempts. This directive was issued by the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) following a recent case of a child suicide attempt that came to the attention of the district’s child protection unit.
Authorities, institutions, media organizations, and the general public have been instructed not to upload, publish, or publicly share any photos, videos, screenshots, or content that could reveal the identities of children involved in suicide or suicide attempt incidents. The order specifically prohibits the disclosure of information such as the child’s name, address, school, parental details, contact information, and location.
Additionally, the directive bans the sharing of case records, investigation documents, medical information, statements, and other confidential materials on social media platforms or public communication channels, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The DCPO has separately instructed that CCTV footage related to such incidents must be kept confidential. If necessary for investigation or judicial proceedings, the footage should be securely stored and made available only to authorized investigative authorities, courts, or other legally sanctioned bodies.
The order references Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which protects the identities of children in conflict with the law, those in need of care and protection, and child victims or witnesses in inquiries, investigations, or judicial proceedings. Violating this provision is punishable under Section 74(3), which can result in imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 200,000 rupees, or both.
The district child protection office has also urged journalists, news agencies, and digital platforms to adhere to applicable laws and the guidelines of the Press Council of India when reporting on child suicide attempts. It has warned against sensational reporting, publishing photos or videos, disclosing unnecessary details, and excessive or prominent coverage.
Furthermore, the order clarifies that there is no prohibition on legally protected reporting or investigations. However, it reiterates that no child’s identity or identifying information should be disclosed in violation of the Juvenile Justice Act’s regulations.
Child protection authorities across the country have emphasized the importance of safeguarding children’s identities, which includes keeping their names, parental details, and school or home addresses confidential. Recently, these regulations have been strictly enforced.
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