What action is taken against police officers who leaked investigation details to media? Karnataka High Court questions State

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday questioned the State government on the action taken against those police officers who voluntarily disclosed investigation details to the media before the final report was submitted..“Can police go to media even before final report is done, disclose names of accused? Have you taken any action against any police officer who has indulged in such activities? What action is taken against officers who have committed violations?”, the Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj asked during the hearing..The Court was hearing a plea seeking directions to frame statutory rules to prevent publication of indecent and obscene content as part of the news/any other programme in electronic and print media..On June 15, the Court had directed the State government to ensure that police officers do not disclose details pertaining to investigation of cases, as well as the accused or the victim in these cases, to the media till the conclusion of such investigation..When the matter was taken up for hearing today, the Court asked the State government,“June 15 order directs State government to ensure that police officers do not disclose details regarding investigation of cases, accused or the victim to media till the conclusion of such investigation...What can be the objection to this? If law requires you (State government) to upload the FIR then you have to do it, no question about it.”.At this juncture, the counsel appearing for the State government informed the Court that a circular was issued on June 27, which directed that any press briefing by the police is impermissible..“It is not like everyone (Police officers) go to media and briefs them," he further said.He additionally sought for two weeks’ time to comply with the Court’s previous order..The Court eventually granted the State time till August 11 to comply with its previous order. The matter will be next taken up on August 12.