Petitioner seeks access to WhatsApp chats, information broadcast by channels in SSR case

Producer Nilesh Navlakha has filed an interim petition in the Bombay High Court seeking disclosure of Whatsapp chat, statement and other sensitive information allegedly broadcast by news channels during the Sushant Singh Rajput investigation.

According to Livelaw, the petitioner alludes to the fact that such sensitive information was used to tarnish the image of certain individuals involved in the case and was also a part of a grand media trial to upset the investigation and influence public opinion.

"If the information has not been leaked by investigating agencies in such circumstances, none of the investigating agencies have taken any action against media channels for broadcasting the sensitive personal/private WhatsApp conversations and statements recorded by the investigating agencies which should be in the sole possession of the agency and privy to the parties concerned," the petition reads.

Navlakha also requests that any leaks via misconduct by investigating officers in the case, accused or witnesses should be thoroughly looked into and a status report filed.

On August 27, Navlakha and several others including Mahobub D Sheikh and ChanderChaba had filed PILs seeking to restrict the level of "sensationalism" broadcast by television channels in the case of Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide. They had also alleged that the "media trial" surrounding the investigation could pose a risk of prejudice to the proper administration of justice.

Republic TV and ABP News were amongst the channels mentioned in the PIL application.