The Congress party on Saturday informed that Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account has been “temporarily locked” after a controversy erupted when the former party chief posted an image identifying the family of a Dalit girl who was allegedly raped, murdered and forcefully cremated in Delhi.

Initially, Congress said Gandhi’s account was “temporarily suspended” but posted a revision soon stating that it was “locked”.

After Gandhi posted the image on Wednesday, the National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights (NCPCR) had issued a notice to Twitter India, asking it to delete an image posted by the Congress MP.

The former Congress chief had tweeted the image of the girl’s parents with this caption in Hindi: “Her parents’ tears are saying only one thing – their daughter, the daughter of this country, deserves justice. And I am with them on this path of justice.”

On Friday, Twitter removed the controversial post by Gandhi in which the image clearly showed the faces of the girl’s parents seated along with the Congress leader inside a vehicle as they had a conversation.

A message from Twitter read that the tweet had violated its rules.

Generally, once a user’s tweet is taken down for violation of rules, they are not allowed to tweet for 24 hours.

Revealing the identity of the girl by tweeting a photo of her parents (is) in violation of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.

“Shri @RahulGandhi”s Twitter account has been temporarily suspended & due process is being followed for its restoration,” the Congress tweeted from its official Twitter handle.

“Until then, he will stay connected with you all through his other SM platforms & continue to raise his voice for our people & fight for their cause. Jai Hind!” the party said.

The controversial image was posted by Gandhi on Wednesday morning, after he met the young girl’s family at their residence in Delhi Cantonment’s Old Nangal village.