23/05/2026
An unpopular opinion from a practicing litigator: Trial by media does not bring justice. It destroys it.
The tragic loss of life in the recent Bhopal incident is a heartbreaking reality for our society and an unimaginable grief for the family. As a family of army personnel serving our nation, their pain is profound, and their skepticism toward administrative authorities in a moment of absolute trauma is completely understandable. Anyone suffering such a loss would ask the exact same hard questions.
But as an advocate, my ultimate duty is to ensure that the Rule of Law prevails and actual justice is delivered. And right now, a dangerous narrative is unfolding.
Crucial evidence is being actively circulated across public platforms to build a social media case against the in-laws and husband. While this stems from a desperate search for answers, sharing sensitive evidence openly destroys its legal veracity.
Here is the hard, cold truth about public aggression vs. due process:
• Evidentiary Contamination: When critical evidence is made public before reaching a court of law, its chain of custody and credibility are severely compromised. A seasoned defense counsel can easily argue tampering, nullifying its value in a court of law.
•The TRP Trap: The media is not a wing of the judicial administration. Its primary driver is viewership, not a conviction. They can incite public outrage, but they cannot pass a judgment.
•A Familiar Narrative: We saw this exact media-driven frenzy during the Sushant Singh Rajput case. The public court raged for months. But did it solve the legal mystery? No. It only muddied the waters.
When public trial takes over, the actual investigation gets compromised, and the real culprits often walk free due to procedural loopholes created by the chaos.
My advice to anyone fighting for justice: Even if you find it hard to trust the administration, trust your legal counsel. Let your lawyer do their job in the courtroom, where it actually matters. Media trials will ruin your case; a disciplined legal battle will win it.
Let’s choose justice over noise. Be legally aware.
