LIBERTY ON TRIAL: MEDIA PUBLICITY, BAIL AND THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE IN WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PROSECUTIONS

AUTHOR – NANDITA SAHA, SYMBIOSIS LAW SCHOOL, HYDERABAD (SLSH)

BEST CITATION – NANDITA SAHA, LIBERTY ON TRIAL: MEDIA PUBLICITY, BAIL AND THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE IN WHITE-COLLAR CRIME PROSECUTIONS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 19-25, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The paper attempts to examine the constitutional tension between press freedom and the presumption of innocence in matters related to economic offences in India. The paper looks at how intense media coverage in cases related to money laundering and corporate fraud may influence the public perception and create a parallel form of judgment before judicial pronouncement. It further studies the impact of strict bail provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and examines whether the reputational harm, when combined with the prolonged pre-trial detention, undermines the principle of innocence until proven guilty. By situating the issue within Articles 21 and 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and drawing limited comparative reference, the paper highlights the need to maintain a careful balance between transparency and fair trial rights in highly publicised economic offence cases.

Keywords: Trial by Media, Presumption of Innocence, Economic Offences, Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002, Fair Trial.