Police Cannot Use Media To Influence Public Opinion To Accept That Accused Is Guilty: Delhi HC

In a case filed by Pinjra Tod member Devangana Kalita seeking the quashing of the press note issued against her by the Delhi Police alleging her involvement in conspiracy behind Delhi riots, the Delhi High Court has observed that the police’s justification to fuel a media trial merely because the sympathisers of the accused are proclaiming her innocence, cannot be countenanced. The Single Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru further highlighted that there is a cardinal difference in attempting to influence the formation of an opinion that an accused is not guilty and the state attempting to influence opinion to the contrary.