CBI affidavit in apex court on media coverage

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, saying the media should be restrained from damaging the reputation of individuals in cases pending investigation, reports HT Correspondent.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, saying the media should be restrained from damaging the reputation of individuals in cases pending investigation.

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The agency, however, added that investigators should share “vital information” with the press in public interest.

The CBI’s affidavit was in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by advocate Surat Singh who has sought framing of guidelines on reporting of pending criminal cases.

Singh filed the PIL in connection with the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case. Aarushi, daughter of a dentist couple, and her domestic help Hemraj were found murdered at their Noida house on May 16, 2008.

The agency recommended departmental action in the form of both civil and criminal prosecution should be taken against those police officers who leaked the news to the media that damaged the reputation of persons involved in the case.

“It is submitted that CBI has a well laid down policy for interaction with the media.

While there is a need to curb the police from rushing to the media and also preventing unauthorised leakage, sharing vital information with the media in a professional manner is not only necessary but also justified in public interest,”

read the affidavit by Nilabh Kishore, superintendent of police, CBI, who is supervising the case.