​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, October 13: The Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has directed police inspectors across its jurisdictions to ensure that the faces of accused persons are covered while they are being escorted to court for production.

It is learnt that the directive is particularly relevant to those accused in serious criminal cases and individuals scheduled to undergo a test identification (TI) parade.

The move reportedly follows concerns raised by defence advocates in court over the public exposure of accused persons before the conclusion of their trials. Advocates have argued that displaying the faces of suspects in the media could undermine the legal principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Accused persons are often seen using their hands to shield their faces from cameras while being escorted to court. The introduction of face coverings is expected to protect their privacy and minimise potential reputational damage, particularly in cases where they are eventually acquitted, Advocate said.

The directive also assumes significance in cases where a test identification parade is required as part of the investigation. A TI parade is conducted to determine whether a victim or witness can identify a suspect who was previously unknown to them.

Ensuring that the identity of a suspect is not prematurely revealed may help preserve the reliability of the identification process. Such proceedings can provide important evidence during an investigation and may strengthen the prosecution's case in court.