Don’t divulge information to media before investigations complete: Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court has directed police officers to strictly follow the circular issued by the state government stating that they are not to divulge information regarding criminal cases to the media before investigations are complete, LiveLaw reported.

The court said, “The police officers who are in-charge of the investigation are hereby directed to strictly adhere to the instructions incorporated in the circular dated 11/08/2021.”

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum directed the above while disposing of a petition which sought directions of the court to “frame statutory rules to prevent publication of indecent and obscene content as part of the news/any other program in the electronic and print media.”

The plea also requested that publication of such content should be made a cognizable offense. According to the plea, media houses publish obscene videos/partially blurred nude photos and videos as part of news programmes and anchors use “vulgar language” repeatedly during their shows.

In a memo dated 10/06/2021, the state government placed circulars and instructions issued to the police in the state on record about providing information of investigation to the press and media.

According to LiveLaw, the court took judicial note of the same and had directed the state to initiate “appropriate proceedings against the erring police officials” and also issued “appropriate directions to the police in terms of the circulars which are placed on record.” A compliance report about this order was filed by the state on August 12.