The Karnataka High Court disposed of a plea seeking directions to the Commissioner of Police not to leak information collected during the course of investigation of cases to the media (H Nagabhushan Rao v. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)..The petition also sought directions to the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to frame rules for the prevention of publishing indecent, obscene, violent, sexual video, audio and images. Further, a direction was sought to prevent electronic media from analysing sub-judice matters..The State submitted that circulars and instructions had been issued to the police force in Karnataka with respect to sharing information on ongoing investigations with the media..The Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum took judicial note of these circulars and directed the State to initiate proceedings against erring officials. In compliance, a memo was placed on record by the State.Considering these developments, counsel for the petitioner was satisfied that his prayers were complied with by the State..Therefore, finding substantial compliance, the Court disposed of the petition. The police officers in charge of investigations were directed to strictly adhere to the instructions in the circular.“In view of the circular dated 11.08.2021 issued by the Government of Karnataka, nothing survives for consideration in the present writ petition. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of in terms of the aforesaid observations.”.[Read Order]
