Ex-Kerala DGP Sreelekha Moves High Court to Quash FIR Over Alleged Disclosure of POCSO Victims’ Names

Former Director General of Police (DGP) and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor Sreelekha R. has approached the Kerala High Court in the case Sreelekha R. v. State of Kerala and Anr., seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) registered against her. The FIR accuses her of revealing the identities of victims in sexual offence cases through her YouTube channel and blog.

The case arises from allegations that Sreelekha disclosed the names of victims involved in three rape cases while discussing the matters on her YouTube channel titled “Sasneham Sreelekha” and on her blog. Based on these allegations, the Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram registered a criminal case against her.

She has been booked under Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which criminalises the disclosure of the identity of victims in certain sexual offences. The provision prohibits publishing any information that may reveal the identity of a person who has suffered such crimes.

The FIR also invokes Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This section bars the media and other individuals from revealing the identity of a child victim. It also prohibits publishing details such as the child’s name, address, photograph, school or family information.

According to the law, revealing such information may attract imprisonment ranging from six months to one year. Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also provides for punishment that may extend up to two years along with a fine.

The complaint leading to the FIR was filed by a social worker before a Magistrate court. The complaint alleged that Sreelekha had publicly disclosed the identities of victims through her online platforms.

The Magistrate reportedly forwarded the complaint to the Museum Police for investigation under Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Following this direction, the police registered the crime against Sreelekha.

In her petition before the High Court, Sreelekha has challenged this action. She argues that the Magistrate issued the direction without giving her an opportunity to be heard, which she claims is contrary to legal procedure.

The plea also states that she never revealed the identity of any victim protected under the POCSO Act. According to the petition, one of the cases mentioned in the complaint was not related to a POCSO offence but was actually a murder case.

Sreelekha has therefore requested the Kerala High Court to quash the FIR and set aside the proceedings initiated against her.

The petition has been filed through Advocates Sasthamangalam S. Ajithkumar (Senior), Sreejith S. Nair, Satheesh Mohanan and Mahima.

The matter has been registered as Crl.MC 2092/2026 before the Kerala High Court.