ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ruled that confessional statements made by an accused while in police custody and recorded by the media are inadmissible in court, cautioning that media-facilitated confessions can undermine the presumption of innocence and harm both the accused and the judicial process.
In a 25-page judgment authored by Justice Athar Minallah, the Court stressed that confessions made in police custody are only valid if recorded in the presence of a Magistrate. This ruling came in a criminal appeal where the accused, initially sentenced to death and convicted based on circumstantial evidence and a televised confession, was acquitted by the SC.
The judgment highlighted the dangers of media trials, noting that the media’s access to an accused during high-profile cases could lead to wrongful public judgments and irreparable damage to the accused’s reputation. “Such media trials obstruct justice and may prevent the actual perpetrators from being held accountable,” the judgment stated.
Justice Minallah emphasized that the media holds substantial power to shape narratives, and this influence could be harmful if misused. He called on the media to uphold ethical standards and balance the rights of individuals involved in criminal proceedings with the public’s interest in the case.
The Court further underscored the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence as the foundation of the criminal justice system. It called for extreme caution by investigators and others involved in the case to prevent the creation of biased perceptions that could unfairly affect the accused.
Justice Minallah also urged the media to respect the dignity and rights of both the accused and the victims, warning against excessive media attention that could influence public perception and potentially affect the fairness of criminal proceedings. He acknowledged that even judicial officers are susceptible to media influence and must exercise caution in their decision-making.
