New Delhi: The Supreme Court has warned that doctors who disclose medico-legal post-mortem findings to the media before submitting the official report to investigating agencies could face contempt of court proceedings.
The observation was made while the apex court heard petitions linked to the death of a Telugu actress. One plea challenged the conviction of a man accused of abetting her suicide, while another petition filed by the actress’s mother alleged that her daughter had been gang-raped and strangulated.
During the proceedings, the court stressed that premature disclosure of medico-legal findings could seriously affect criminal investigations and the administration of justice.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta criticized the practice of sharing post-mortem conclusions with the media before investigators receive the official report.
The court said such disclosures could mislead the public and distort the course of an investigation.
The bench observed that the impact of a doctor issuing an erroneous post-mortem report and publicizing it through the media goes far beyond individual misconduct. According to the court, such actions can spread misinformation and damage public trust in institutions including the police, forensic systems and the judiciary.
The Supreme Court also emphasized that making public statements about ongoing investigations can undermine the legal process.
The bench noted that sensational reporting or premature conclusions about medico-legal findings may influence public perception before evidence is tested through investigation and trial. It added that public outrage in high-profile cases cannot replace a fair and evidence-based judicial process.
The court said justice must ultimately be established through credible evidence and impartial investigation rather than speculation or media narratives.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court accepted findings by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that a Hyderabad-based forensic doctor had issued an erroneous post-mortem report and shared sensational claims with the media before the investigation was completed.
The court held the doctor guilty of contempt of court for leaking medico-legal findings publicly. However, the bench noted that the doctor had died in 2009.
The ruling underscores the responsibility of forensic doctors to maintain strict confidentiality in medico-legal cases and ensure that findings are first communicated to investigating agencies.
The Supreme Court said premature disclosures can compromise investigations, mislead the public and weaken confidence in both medical and judicial institutions.
(Rh/ARC)
