Toolkit case: Delhi High Court cautions media over 'sensational' reporting

"While a journalist cannot be asked to reveal their source, the same has to be authentic. The Delhi Police claims that it has not leaked anything whereas the media claims to the contrary," the court observed.

"Right to privacy, the sovereignty and integrity of the country and the freedom of speech need to be balanced. The recent coverage by the media definitely shows there is sensationalised reporting by the media. While press briefings are held generally the media cannot disseminate the information in such a sensationalised manner," it added as quoted by NDTV.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to a few media houses on a plea moved by Bengaluru-based climate activist Disha Ravi, complaining media leakage in the farmers' protest Toolkit case, in which she is an accused.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police apprised the bench headed by Justice Prathiba Singh, that it has not leaked any probe material to the media, in connection with the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against the 22-year-old climate activist for her alleged involvement in sharing a toolkit backing the farmers' protest, shared by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In her plea, Ravi also sought to restrain the media from publishing the content or extract of any private chats, including those on WhatsApp, between her and third parties.

A Delhi court had on Feb 14 sent Ravi to five-day police custody after the agency said her custodial interrogation was required to probe an alleged larger conspiracy against the Government of India and to ascertain her alleged role relating to the Khalistan movement.

Ravi was arrested by a Cyber Cell team of the Delhi Police from Bengaluru on Feb 13 and was produced before a court in New Delhi seeking her police custody for seven days.

While seeking her custody, the police had told the court that the activist had allegedly edited the toolkit and many other people were involved in the matter.