Supreme Court rejects ‘drunk’ cop’s plea for recompense

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a writ petition filed by a Delhi police constable seeking compensation from the Centre and the media on the ground that he suffered humiliation and mental agony by a 37 second video clip with the title “Drunk Delhi Police cop on Delhi Metro”, shown in the media.

A Bench of Justices J.S. Khehar and C. Nagappan rejected the writ petition of P. Salim observing that his fundamental right had not been violated by the uploading of the video. The judges told the counsel for the petitioner that since he had been reinstated in service, nothing survives in the petition as the media had only shown the video uploaded in the internet.

He said the uploading of the said video taken in August 2015 with wrong misleading titles in social media was telecast in all television channels and published in most of the newspapers in India and abroad and this resulted in his suspension from service. The video was shared by thousands leading to debates and discussions demoralising the petitioner and the Delhi police.

In the departmental inquiry by the Delhi police, he was exonerated and reinstated in service with all benefits. The petitioner said he was suffering from an ailment and this resulted in his falling in the Metro train. But this was portrayed as if he was drunk and due to this humiliation, he was prejudiced and could not come out of his house. He was forced to leave Delhi for treatment and returned only after he fully recovered.

Seriously aggrieved, with no other alternative option to regain his lost dignity and his right to lead a dignified life in tune with Article 21 of the Constitution, he said he is filing the present writ petition. It is pertinent to mention here that when he was suspended, it was a front page news and a hot subject for channel discussion, but when he was taken back, not a single newspaper published it.

The role of the media, the print, visual, social, is increasing day by day which requires “responsible reporting” and there should not be any incidence which will seriously affect dignified life of the citizens because of irresponsible reporting, he said and prayed for award of suitable compensation by the government and the media, for which he has made Press Council of India as a party.