While hearing a criminal petition, the Rajasthan High Court took serious note of obscene photographs of the minor victim remaining visible on the paperless module system, despite its earlier order laying down guidelines to protect the identity and privacy of victims in sexual offence cases.

A bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand observed that the failure to mask the photographs of the prosecutrix/victim amounted to non-compliance with the Court's earlier directions and invaded her privacy.

The Court sought an explanation from the concerned clerk for the failure to mask the photographs and directed the Secretary and Chairman of the Bar Council of Rajasthan to formulate guidelines requiring lawyers practising in the State to exercise caution while filing petitions and applications before courts.

For context, in an order passed on May 21, 2026, the Court had laid down a mechanism for the Registry and trial courts to follow when obscene photographs or videos were submitted in sexual offence cases. The directions sought to ensure that the identity and privacy of the prosecutrix/victim were protected and that such material was not openly annexed to court filings.

During the hearing, the State informed the Court that the Department of Home and the Director General of Police had issued directions to all Station House Officers across Rajasthan to ensure compliance with the earlier order. The Court directed the Additional Advocate General to place a compliance report on record along with the circular issued in this regard.

The Court also directed the Registrar (Judicial) to ensure strict compliance with its earlier directions and apprise it of the instructions and circulars issued by the Registries at the Principal Seat, the Jaipur Bench and the subordinate judiciary across the State.

While directing the Bar Council of Rajasthan to frame guidelines for lawyers, the Court reiterated that any photographs or videos required to be relied upon in court proceedings must be submitted in a sealed cover. It observed:

“In case, they want to file such photographs or videos in their respective petitions, then the same are required to be submitted in a sealed cover, which would be opened by the concerned Judge or Judicial Officer as and when required during the course of arguments.”

The Court further directed that if any lawyer is found filing such photographs openly in violation of the directions, appropriate action for professional misconduct may be taken by the Bar Council of Rajasthan.