The Supreme Court has directed all States to frame a clear policy on police media briefings within three months, accepting a detailed manual prepared by the Amicus Curiae. The Court also ordered the manual to be uploaded on the Supreme Court website to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Supreme Court of India has passed an important order directing all State governments across the country to create a proper policy for police officers while sharing information with the media. The direction aims to ensure that police briefings during investigations are responsible, fair, and do not violate the rights of individuals.
The order was passed by a Bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh. The Court brought to an end several long-pending cases after accepting a detailed “Police Manual for Media Briefing” prepared by the Amicus Curiae.
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The States have been given three months to take necessary steps, and the Supreme Court Registry has been directed to upload the manual on the official website of the Court.
The matter arose from the case of People’s Union for Civil Liberties & another versus the State of Maharashtra and others, along with connected cases.
The main issue before the Court was the absence of clear rules and guidelines for police officers when they interact with the media, especially in cases where investigation is still ongoing. The Court was concerned that unregulated media briefings could affect fair trials, damage reputations, and mislead the public.
To assist the Court, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan was appointed as Amicus Curiae. He took responsibility for preparing a comprehensive manual that would guide police officials on how and what information should be shared with the media.
The Court noted that the manual was drafted after considering the views of the Union of India and studying international practices followed in other countries.
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While appreciating the effort put in by the Amicus Curiae, the Bench formally recorded its gratitude by stating,
“Notwithstanding the time granted by this Court on earlier occasions, the States have not shown adequate interest in taking note of the Manual and doing the needful.”
The Court expressed clear dissatisfaction with the attitude of State governments, observing that despite repeated opportunities, many States failed to take meaningful action on framing media briefing guidelines. The Bench made it clear that it did not wish to keep the matter pending any longer and decided to issue final directions to bring the issue to a close.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court directed all States to frame an appropriate policy for police media briefings, taking into account the Police Manual for Media Briefing prepared by the Amicus Curiae. The Court ordered that this exercise must be completed within three months from the date the States receive a copy of the order.
To ensure transparency and public access, the Registry of the Supreme Court has also been directed to upload the Police Manual for Media Briefing on the Supreme Court website within two weeks.
The Court further clarified that no additional orders were required on the intervention applications filed in the matter. With these directions, all pending appeals, writ petitions, and the contempt petition connected to the issue were disposed of.
This judgment is expected to bring uniformity and accountability in police communication with the media and prevent misuse of press briefings during sensitive criminal investigations, while also protecting the principles of fair trial and personal liberty.
Case Title:
Peoples Union for Civil Liberties & Anr. v. The State of Maharashtra & Ors.
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