New Delhi,  Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a PIL, filed by two petitioners, seeking a direction that the identity of accused should also be kept under wraps unless convicted or the investigation is completed in the case. A bench of the Apex Court, led by Justice S A Bobde, sought a reply from the Union of India (UOI) after hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two petitioners; lawyer Reepak Kansal and Youth Bar Association of India (YBAI).

The petitioners, claimed in their petition that since reputation of the accused is also lost forever even when a case results into exoneration, so the accused’s identity should not be disclosed in the case.  The Apex Court today sought a reply from the Union of India (UOI) and others on the petition of Kansal and YBAI.

The petitioners stated and sought a direction from the Apex Court that the identity of these persons should not be revealed. The prestige of the accused persons is at a stake, if these persons later were acquitted or discharged, then it will hamper their respect and prestige in the society.