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Rajasthan HC Prohibits Police Media Trials Citing Article 21 & BNSS Sections 170 & 126

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
07 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 5, 2026July 10, 2025BNSS Section 126BNSS Section 170
Bodies:Rajasthan High CourtSupreme CourtLaw Commission of IndiaRajasthan Police
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What This Article Covers

1.Rajasthan High Court (Justice Farjand Ali) banned police from circulating humiliating photos/videos of accused on social media, calling it a violation of constitutional dignity.

2.The court invoked the 'Ship of Theseus' analogy to describe the irreversible psychological damage caused by institutional humiliation and digital stigma.

3.Directions include removing such content, displaying 'Do's and Don'ts' in police stations, and citing Supreme Court precedents (DK Basu, Sunil Batra) and BNSS sections 170 & 126.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Rajasthan High Court has issued a landmark judgment prohibiting police from conducting 'media trials' by publicly shaming accused persons via social media. Citing Article 21's guarantee of dignity, the court emphasized that the presumption of innocence prevails until conviction and directed strict adherence to SOPs, warning of action against erring officials.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

JudgeJustice Farjand Ali
Date of JudgmentMay 5, 2026
FIR DateJuly 10, 2025
BNSS Sections CitedSection 126 & Section 170
SC Precedents CitedDK Basu v State of West Bengal, Sunil Batra v Delhi Administration, State of Maharashtra v Rajendra Jawanmal Gandhi
Law Commission Report200th Report on 'Trial by Media'

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Judge: Justice Farjand Ali
  • ›Date of Judgment: May 5, 2026
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 21 guarantees right to life with dignity.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Rajasthan High Court (Justice Farjand Ali).
  • ›Target this Statute: BNSS Sections 126 & 170.
  • ›Target this Precedent: Supreme Court cases DK Basu v State of West Bengal & Sunil Batra v Delhi Administration.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional article was primarily invoked by the Rajasthan High Court to prohibit police media trials?

Q2Statement-basedMedium

Consider the following statements regarding the Rajasthan High Court judgment:

1. The court prohibited police from sharing photographs or videos of accused persons on social media.

2. The judgment was delivered by Justice Farjand Ali on May 5, 2026.

3. The court cited the Law Commission of India's 200th report on 'Trial by Media'.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Under which sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were the petitioners in the Rajasthan High Court case booked?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary philosophical analogy used by the Rajasthan High Court to explain the impact of public shaming?

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