States » NorthPosted at: Oct 15 2026 5:15PM


High Court seeks Punjab DGP's response over social media videos showing injured suspects

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday sought a response from Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the alleged publication of videos showing injured and visibly distressed arrested suspects on official police social media accounts, raising questions over custodial dignity, police accountability and constitutional safeguards.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor sought the response while hearing a petition filed by advocate Nikhil Thamman. The court fixed November 26 for the next hearing.
The petition alleges that Punjab Police and several district police units have posted videos on their official Instagram accounts showing arrested individuals in injured, physically distressed or humiliating conditions, with some apparently unable to walk without assistance.
The petitioner contended that the recording, editing and public circulation of such footage through official government platforms could create an impression that custodial violence, physical intimidation and punishment outside the judicial process were acceptable policing practices.
The plea specifically refers to social media accounts operated by Punjab Police and police units in Ludhiana Rural, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Moga, Fazilka, Jalandhar, Faridkot and Ferozepur.
According to the petition, the circumstances in which the accused sustained injuries require separate investigation. However, the manner in which the videos were recorded, edited and disseminated raised serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement agencies.
The petitioner argued that such videos could normalise alleged police excesses, generate fear among citizens and undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system.
The PIL sought directions for the removal of the disputed videos and other similar material from official police social media platforms.
It also demanded an independent inquiry into the circumstances in which the arrested individuals sustained injuries and the identification of officials responsible for recording, editing, approving and publishing the footage.
The petitioner further urged the court to direct the Punjab government to ensure that official police social media accounts were not used to publicly humiliate arrested persons or portray actions outside the legal framework as legitimate policing.
Statewide guidelines have also been sought to prevent the publication of videos depicting accused persons in degrading or humiliating circumstances.
The case raises wider questions about the limits of police publicity and the protection of the dignity and legal rights of individuals who have been arrested but not convicted.
The High Court has sought the DGP's response but has not delivered any final findings on the allegations.
The matter will be heard again on November 26.
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