Frame guidelines for Police briefings in criminal cases : SC

Supreme Court directs MHA to frame guidelines

(Credits : ABP Live)

New Delhi – The Supreme Court is currently addressing a petition regarding the way Police share information with the media during ongoing investigations, and as part of the ongoing hearing, The Supreme Court directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to develop a comprehensive manual outlining guidelines for media briefings conducted by the Police in criminal cases, with the aim of preventing ‘media trials’ in such instances. All Director Generals of Police from each State are required to send a notification to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs within one month regarding this matter. The Bench also directed to take the input of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into consideration during the process. The Supreme Court is hearing a petition about how the Police share information with the media in ongoing investigations.

The Bench highlighted that media coverage can sometimes negatively impact the reputation of the accused and emphasised that biased reporting can lead to public suspicions about the crime.