Links of woman’s pictures, video disseminated by ex-husband blocked, SHC told

The investigation officer of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) told the Sindh High Court on Monday that mostly the links of illegal dissemination of personal photos and a video of a woman by her former spouse has been blocked and the video has been removed from different internet sites.

Filing a compliance report on an application of a woman, who sought action against illegal dissemination of her personal photos and videos by her former spouse, the NCCIA’s investigation officer said digital devises have been seized from the residence of the alleged suspect and sent to the forensic laboratory for a forensic report.

An SHC single bench headed by Justice Omar Sial observed that the report reflects that specific effective measures have been taken and satisfactory progress has been made. The court observed that it is expected that the NCCIA will continue such efforts until the case is successfully resolved.

A federal law officer submitted that applicant was not cooperating with the investigation. The court directed the applicant to cooperate fully with the investigation, and if she does not, the investigation officer will note such non-cooperation in writing. The court was informed that the forensic report will take two to three weeks.

The court clarified that the NCCIA is at complete liberty to perform its responsibilities in accordance with the law. It also recorded its appreciation for the effective instructions issued by the DG NCCIA after the issue was brought to his attention by the court on the previous date of the hearing.

It directed that the case be re-listed on November 3 for further hearing. The SHC had earlier directed the NCCIA to take immediate action to block the illegal dissemination of personal photos and videos of the woman by her former spouse.

It had also directed the NCCIA’s director general to ask his colleagues to perform their jobs without fear or favour professionally in accordance with the law. The court had observed that utmost care should be taken that the victim is not embarrassed, humiliated or victim-blamed in any manner.