A critical analysis of media trails in gender based crimes with special reference to Kolkata Rape Case,2024

The Kolkata Rape Case, 2024, is currently before the Calcutta High Court. It has reopened discussions about the role of media trials in gender-based crimes. Coverage from news channeis, sensationai headlines, and trending hashtags have stirred public anger and pushed institutions to react quickly.
However, this media activism has also led to important concerns: biased publicity, a loss of fairness in the judicial process, violation of the accused's right to a fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution, and violation of the survivor's right to privacy protected under Section 73 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (previously Section 228A IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
This paper critically examines the constitutional and legal framework that governs media trials in India, focusing on gender-based crimes. This research paper analysis these key cases such as Sahara India Real Estate Corp. Lid. v. SEBI
(2012) and State of Maharashtra v. Rajendra Jawanmal Gandhi (1997) to explore how courts balance free press rights