Peoples Union For Civil Liberties & Anr vs State Of Maharashtra & Ors

M.M. Sundresh, J

We take on record the laborious exercise undertaken by the learned Senior counsel Mr. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who has been appointed as the Amicus Curiae to assist the Court.

The  Police  Manual  for  Media  Briefing  has  been  prepared  by the learned Amicus, considering the views of the Union of India and the practices prevalent at the international level. 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.

We do not want to keep these matter(s) pending any longer. We deem it appropriate to direct the States to evolve an appropriate policy for Media Briefing by taking into consideration the Police Manual for Media Briefing furnished by the learned Amicus Curiae. The needful will have to be done within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

The Registry is directed to upload the Police Manual for media Briefing on the Supreme Court Website within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

We once again place on record our appreciation for the able assistance rendered by the learned Amicus Curiae.

No orders are required in the applications for interventions and they are disposed of, accordingly.

The appeals and the writ petitions stand disposed of accordingly, and the Contempt Petition stands closed.

Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.