NEW DELHI, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- India's top court Tuesday barred media organizations and law enforcement agencies from disclosing the identity of sexual assault victims, officials said.

The court laid down guidelines, saying the names of victims cannot be used at public rallies or on social media platforms.

"Police or forensic authorities cannot disclose the names of rape survivors either, even with the consent of parents," the Supreme Court said. "Also, First Information Reports of sexual assault cases, especially those involving minors, should not be put in the public domain."

The apex court's decision came in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed before it.

The top court reportedly expressed regret over the harassment and social boycott that rape victims were subjected to after the incident.

Earlier this year, massive protests were launched across the country after an eight-year-old girl was gang-raped and murdered in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Several social organizations expressed dismay over the manner in which the girl's identity and photograph was freely disclosed after the gruesome incident.