There is no statutory exemption in India to journalists from disclosing their sources to investigating agencies

CBI No.99/19

CBI vs Closure Report (Fake CBI Report Case)

CNR No.DLCT12-000853-2019

(Anjani Mahajan)

 CMM/RADC/New Delhi

 17.01.2023

13. Merely because the concerned journalists denied to

reveal their respective sources, as stated in the final report, the

investigating agency should not have put a halt to the entire

investigation. There is no statutory exemption in India to

journalists from disclosing their sources to investigating

agencies, moreso where such disclosure is necessary for the

purpose of aiding and assisting in investigation of a criminal

case. The investigating agency can always bring to the notice of

the concerned journalists the requirement of disclosure of the

source being essential and vital to the investigation proceedings.

The investigating agency is fully equipped under the IPC and

Cr.P.C. to require the public persons to mandatorily join in an

investigation where the investigating agency is of the opinion

that such public persons are privy to any facts or circumstances

pertaining to the case under investigation and public persons are

under a legal duty to so join the investigation.