Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday (March 21, 2026) highlighted the growing insensitivity in society in which even the busiest people stop their cars and rush to a road accident sites, not to help the dying victims, but to record videos for social media.
The Chief Justice, who was heading a three-judge Bench, made this observation in response to a writ petition regarding the police’s use of social media handles to give out details of the names and faces of people whom they consider suspects. The petition drew the attention of the court to how the police often cooperate with the media by allowing them to photograph accused persons and even parade them in handcuffs and ropes.
“This amounts to a critical violation of Article 21 [fundamental right to dignity] of the Constitution of the accused,” senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for petitioner Hemendra Patel, submitted.
Mr. Sankaranarayanan said the consequential effect of such conduct is public ire when the courts finally grant bail to the accused.
“The entire functioning of the criminal justice administration is undermined,” he submitted.
