The High Court has raised questions over the legal authority of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to brief the media about cases still under investigation. The bench also sought directives to restrain the commission from issuing statements that could be defamatory to individuals or entities involved in pending inquiries.

Court’s Observation and Rule

A High Court bench comprising Justice [Name] and Justice [Name] issued a rule on Wednesday (November 11) in response to a writ petition. The court observed that publicizing 'preliminary evidence' before the completion of an investigation raises serious legal and ethical concerns. The rule asks why the ACC's current practice of holding press briefings on pending inquiries should not be declared illegal, and why the commission should not be required to seek prior court permission before making such disclosures.

Lawyers’ Statements

Advocate [Name], who represented the petitioner, argued that premature disclosure of allegations severely damages the reputation of the accused even before charges are proven. "Releasing details of preliminary evidence to the media before the investigation concludes is harmful to the principles of natural justice," he told the court. Lawyers for the state and the ACC have sought time to submit their responses.

Context and Next Steps

The ACC routinely announces the discovery of 'preliminary evidence' in high-profile cases at the outset of investigations, a practice that has drawn criticism from legal circles. Following the issuance of the rule, the court is expected to examine the commission's media policy and legal framework in detail during the next hearing. Legal experts suggest the verdict could set a significant precedent for how investigative agencies interact with the press in Bangladesh.