A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against videos posted on the official Instagram accounts of Punjab Police and several district police units—allegedly showing arrested persons with visible injuries, physical trauma, incapacitation or difficulty in walking, or in other humiliating physical conditions.

Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor sought response from DGP Punjab and adjourned the matter to November 26.

The petitioner, Nikhil Thamman, an advocate practising before the High Court, names the accounts of the Ludhiana Rural, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Moga, Fazilka, Jalandhar, Faridkot and Ferozepur police.

The petition contends that, whatever the actual circumstances in which the injuries were sustained, the way the videos are recorded, edited, presented and shared through official State platforms can convey to an ordinary viewer that physical violence, custodial abuse, third-degree methods or extra-legal punishment are accepted, celebrated or effective ways of policing.

It argues that such content creates fear among the public, normalises unconstitutional practices and undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system.

The PIL seeks removal of the impugned videos and similar content and an appropriate inquiry to identify and fix responsibility, both for the prima facie physical violence on detained accused persons and for the recording, editing, approval and publication of the videos appropriate action against those found responsible.

It also sought immediate State-wide directions prohibiting the use of official Punjab Police social media platforms to glorify, celebrate, normalise or appear to endorse public humiliation of arrested persons or any other extra-legal method of policing.