Case Law Details
Rajendran Chingaravelu vs Addl. CIT (Supreme Court)
The issue under consideration is whether the proceedings of enquiry/investigation undertaken at the airports without keeping it confidential and premature disclosure to the media (print/electronic) is justified in law?
Supreme Court states that, the appellant’s grievance in regard to media being informed about the incident even before completion of investigation, is justified. There is a growing tendency among investigating officers (either police or other departments) to inform the media, even before the completion of investigation, that they have caught a criminal or an offender. Such crude attempts to claim credit for imaginary investigational breakthroughs should be curbed. Even where a suspect surrenders or a person required for questioning voluntarily appears, it is not uncommon for the Investigating Officers to represent to the media that the person was arrested with much effort after considerable investigation or a chase. Similarly, when someone voluntarily declares the money he is carrying, media is informed that huge cash which was not declared was discovered by their vigilant investigations and thorough checking. Premature disclosures or ‘leakage’ to the media in a pending investigation will not only jeopardise and impede further investigation, but many a time, allow the real culprit to escape from law. Be that as it may. The bonafides of the intelligence wing officials at Chennai is not open to question, though their enthusiasm might have exceeded the limits when they went to press in regard to the seizure. We are of the view that the remedial action by the department and the expression of regret serves and achieves the purpose of appellant filing the writ petition. In view of the above, the appeal is disposed of, treating the entire episode as closed.
FULL TEXT OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT
1. Leave granted. Heard.
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