DGP warns against leak of probe details to media
K.S. Balasubramanian. (Photo: DC)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: DGP K.S. Balasubramanian has warned cops against leaking out information regarding cases under investigation to the media. Parading persons in custody before the media and conducting press conferences by cops are also strictly restricted.
In a recent circular issued to the cops, the DGP said that leakage of information of cases affected the credibility of investigation and even helped the culprits escape. He also lamented that though instructions in this regard were issued earlier, it was noticed that even video and audio recordings of accused and witnesses of sensational cases were being leaked out.
The DGP also directed that in case of leak of information by police officials, the supervisory officers should fix the responsibility and bring the matter to the notice of the state police chief.
“No person in custody shall be paraded or allowed to be photographed and no press conference shall be conducted without permission of the state police chief. The investigation officer and his superior officers shall ensure that the tendency to leak out each and every information at any level is nipped in the bud,” said the circular.
It may be recalled that there were instances of even senior police officers being pulled up by courts for parading accused persons before the media. Subsequently, the DGP had earlier issued a circular restricting this. He pointed out that as per the Kerala Police Act, the police officers were obliged to maintain the confidentiality of cases under investigation.
( Source : dc )
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