A writ has been filed with the High Court seeking a ban on publication of the photographs of rape victims. The writ also sought action against those involved in publishing their images.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman filed the writ on Tuesday on behalf of Justice Watch Foundation.

Secretary to Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary to Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary to Ministry of Information, Bangladesh Press Council and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha News Agency were named as defendants in the writ petition.

Lawyer Mahfuzur Rahman Milon said, "Publishing the photos and disclosing the identities of children and women victims of rape in the media is prohibited as per the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act. However, this provision is violated in many cases. The writ has been filed in this context."

"An HC bench comprising of Justices SM Maniruzzaman and Farah Mahbub may hear the writ on Sunday," he added.

Milon said that although the law prohibits circulation of photos of a raped woman and child, these pictures are frequently published in various media outlets. As a result, their family members are being ostracized. In particular, a picture of an English medium-school student who recently died after being raped was widely circulated in media outlets nationwide. The publication of these photos has gravely aggrieved us, forcing us to file this writ."

An English daily published a photograph of a child victim of rape, leading to a lawyer filing a writ petition challenging the justification of doing so.

Responding to the writ petition, the High Court prohibited publication of the photographs or disclosure of the identity of any child who came in contact with the law.