The Gauhati High Court has held that a Mizoram Police press release issued during an ongoing investigation into the death of a young woman violated the prescribed protocol for police media briefings. The Court also took note of the mob violence and property damage suffered by the family of the deceased husband named in the police statement.
Justice Rajesh Mazumdar passed the order on August 27, 2026, in a writ petition filed by Smt. C Laltanpuii.
Background of the Case
The dispute arose after a young girl went missing from Tanhril on December 1, 2025. Her body was recovered on December 13, following which an investigation into her death commenced.
On January 27, 2026, the Mizoram Police issued a press statement disclosing several details of the investigation. These included forensic findings, suspected blood stains in a vehicle, call-detail information and other investigative material. The statement also described the petitioner's deceased husband as the principal accused in the case.
The same day, local organisations issued an eviction notice against the petitioner's family. A mob subsequently gathered at the petitioner's residence, where construction material and property were damaged and set on fire. The State later registered an FIR concerning the mob violence.
Court's Observation
The High Court found that the police statement went beyond permissible disclosure during an investigation. It revealed forensic details, evidence theories and investigative methods despite the Police Manual for Media Briefing requiring restraint in such disclosures.
The Court also noted that the press release was followed by public outrage, mob violence and damage to the petitioner's property. The authorities had acknowledged that the perpetrators had been identified, but arrests had not been made and there was no indication that the case had been chargesheeted or sent for trial.
The Court observed:
“The impugned Press Release is declared to violate the protocol laid down in the Police Manual for media briefing.”
Decision
The High Court directed that the press release be recalled within seven days of receipt of the certified order. It further ordered that the Police Manual for Media Briefing be circulated to the concerned police authorities and all police stations.
The Superintendent of Police concerned was directed to monitor the investigation into the mob violence weekly. The Court also appointed Additional District and Sessions Judge Lalngaihmawia Zote as Claims Commissioner to assess the petitioner's compensation claim and submit recommendations within three months.
The matter was directed to be listed on December 4, 2026, along with the Commissioner's report.
Case Details
Case Title: Smt. C Laltanpuii v. The State of Mizoram and 7 Ors.
Case Number: WP(C)/12/2026
Judge: Justice Rajesh Mazumdar
Decision Date: August 27, 2026
