Rapid Fire
SC Directs States on Police–Media Briefing Policy
- 27 Jan 2026
- 2 min read
The Supreme Court (SC) of India has directed all State governments to formulate a comprehensive policy for police media briefings within three months, modeled on the manual prepared by amicus curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan, to ensure a balance between transparency and the rights of the accused.
- Background Case: The directive stems from a batch of petitions led by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) (a civil rights NGO).
- This same NGO was central to the landmark 2014 Supreme Court judgment (PUCL vs State of Maharashtra case (2014)) that laid down 16 mandatory guidelines for investigating police encounters and extra-judicial killings.
- Gopal Sankaranarayanan Police Manual: It considers international best practices and Union government views.
- The manual aims to establish a “principled, rights-compatible and investigation-safe framework” that safeguards the dignity, privacy, and fair-trial rights of victims, witnesses, and suspects while meeting the public's need for accurate information.
- The manual asserts that police media briefings should serve specific purposes: to prevent harm, correct rumours, enlist public cooperation, and maintain law and order.
- Combating Misinformation: Acknowledging the "social media age," the Court emphasized that police must release only correct, verified, and necessary information to prevent the spread of fake news that could disrupt public order.
| Read more: Strengthening Policing for India's Future |
