The High Court has recently released the full text of its order that asked the government to stop media from disclosing identities, photographs and workplaces of rape and sexual assault victims in line with the relevant law.

The full text of order was released on Monday after judges of the HC bench concerned -- Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice SM Maniruzzaman -- completed writing and signed it.

In the full text of order, the HC asked the government to immediately take necessary steps to stop any further publications of the identity of sexual assault/ rape victims such as their original name, addresses, photographs, place of study, name of workplace and any other information which reveals their identity, by online and printed newspapers and electronic media.

Following a writ petition filed by rights organisation -- Justice Watch Foundation -- the HC bench on March 8 ordered the authorities concerned of the government to immediately take necessary step to this effect and to submit separate reports after complying with the directive in 30 days.

The HC also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks why their inaction and failure to stop publishing and transmitting news which refers to the character of the victims, humiliates or defames the victims and their family members should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the court also asked the respondents to show cause as to why they should not be directed to take action against those who publish the identity of the rape victims and sexual offences in print, online and electronic media.

Secretaries to the ministries of information, law and home affairs and chairmen of Bangladesh Press Council and BTRC, director general of department of film and publications, principal information officer of press information department, secretary of Bangladesh Press Council, chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC also set May 3 for further hearing on the issue, writ petitioners' lawyer Mafuzur Rahman Milon told The Daily Star.

Justice Watch Foundation submitted the petition on January 19 as a public interest litigation to the HC requesting it to order authorities concerned of the government to strictly enforce section 14 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, which bans publishing and broadcasting names and photos of victims of rape and sexual assault.