Rajasthan Police to stop releasing photos of accused after HC order

Rajasthan Police will no longer publicly release photos of arrested individuals, following a High Court directive. A new SOP aims to protect the privacy, identity, and dignity of the accused, especially in cases requiring 'identification parades'.

New SOP Issued on High Court's Order

Rajasthan Police has decided not to publicly release photos of the arrested accused, following orders of the Rajasthan High Court. The decision aims to protect the privacy and identity of accused individuals, especially in cases that require 'identification parades'.

On January 21, 2026, the office of the Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch), Rajasthan, Hawa Singh Ghumaria, issued a transformative directive to uphold the fundamental rights of individuals in custody. This new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was prompted by a judgment from the Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur, delivered just one day prior.

Upholding Constitutional Rights and Dignity

The order emphasises Article 21, which protects the right to personal dignity, self-respect, and honour, and doesnt not erode when an accused is arrested.

Further, the order stated that after a fair trial, an accused remains an accused until proven guilty.

To circulate or upload the images of the arestees amounts to humiliation and harm to human dignity.

Strict Guidelines for Police Conduct

To ensure these rights are protected, the SOP outlines strict behavioural and media guidelines for police personnel.

All arrested individuals must be treated with humane, civilised, and lawful behaviour; an accused person must not be publicly humiliated, displayed, or presented as a confirmed criminal.

When in custody, the arrangements for sitting, transporting, or holding an accused must be civilised and safe.

Special Care for Vulnerable Sections

Police are instructed to show special sensitivity toward women, the elderly, young women, and vulnerable sections of society.

Prohibitions on Media Interaction and Photos

The directive prohibits the uploading or sharing of photos or videos of an accused person on several platforms.

Accused persons must never be presented before the media in humiliating conditions.

During police briefings, language must be carefully chosen and delivered with dignity.

Officers are strictly forbidden from engaging in any actions that might encourage a "media trial."

Directive Circulated to Top Departments

This order has been circulated to the highest levels of the Rajasthan Police, including the Director General of Police and various specialised departments such as Intelligence, Cyber Crime, and the ATS. The mandate is clear: the law must be enforced, but without stripping an individual of their basic constitutional humanity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)