Why does a sub-judice case merit a Press Conference, Bombay HC asks Maharashtra Police

According to an article in The Quint, the Bombay HC today slammed the Maharashtra police’s recent press conference on the arrest of activists and authors, questioning them as to why a sub judice case merited a press briefing?

At the same time, the High Court also adjourned a petition that demanded an inquiry headed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the case of the activists who had been arrested in relation with the violence that took place in Bhima Koregaon earlier this year.

Justifying the arrests of the five human rights activists, Maharashtra’s Additional Director General of Police Parambir Singh claimed in a special media briefing on August 31 that the police “have clear evidence of the activists’ links with Maoist organisations and a larger conspiracy to overthrow the central government.”

In the press conference, ADG Singh had exhibited certain emails, letters and other communication that were allegedly passed on from one activist to another.

The matter has been adjourned till September 7 because copies of the petition were not served to all persons concerned.