Formulation of structured state policies for police media briefings

The Supreme Court has mandated that all State Governments must evolve a standardized, structured policy governing media briefings by law enforcement agencies, explicitly adopting the comprehensive framework delineated in the Police Manual for Media Briefing. Unregulated and arbitrary communication between investigating officers and the media carries severe constitutional hazards, necessitating uniform institutional guidelines across jurisdictions. By requiring States to formalize these parameters into official policy within a strict three-month timeline, the judiciary ensures that disclosures regarding ongoing criminal investigations are neither haphazard nor prejudicial. Such structured policies serve to eliminate sensationalism and ensure that the dissemination of information remains within the boundaries of procedural propriety, institutional accountability, and constitutional decorum during criminal investigations. (Peoples Union for Civil Liberties & Anr. Vs The State of Maharashtra & Ors. | 2026 INSC 45)