The Delhi High Court has invited a sexual assault survivor and her father to submit their responses concerning allegations that their identities were improperly revealed in an Oscar-nominated documentary. The film, “To Kill A Tiger,” has sparked legal action against filmmaker Nisha Pahuja and the streaming giant Netflix.
Set against the backdrop of a Jharkhand village, the documentary captures the struggle of a father fighting for justice for his 13-year-old daughter following her assault by three men. The film has gained significant attention after being nominated for “Best Documentary Feature” at the 96th Academy Awards.
The court session, presided over by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, allowed the survivor and her father to be impleaded as parties in the ongoing petition. They have been granted three weeks to file their counter-affidavits. The court has also permitted the petitioner to submit additional documents, including a sealed cover with sensitive images from the film.
During the proceedings, the court did not halt the streaming of the film, which has been accessible to the public since March. Advocates for the petition, Tulir Charitable Trust, argue that the documentary fails to hide the minor’s face, thus exposing her identity in violation of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other laws designed to protect minors.
Senior advocate Karuna Nandy, representing Pahuja, noted that the film was shot over three and a half years with the consent of the minor’s parents and was released after the girl had reached adulthood. “Once the child is a major, she has the right to discuss her experiences openly if she chooses,” argued one of the lawyers.
