As the accused in the Patamatalanka couple murder case had their movements restricted by bar-fetters when they were produced before the media, doubts were raised on its legality. However, it was found to be done with the permission of the Magistrate concerned on certain justifiable grounds. Attention was drawn by a senior prosecuting officer to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Sunil Batra V/s State of Delhi & Others, wherein it was observed that the freedom of under-trials / convicts could be curtailed during transit in exceptional cases with prior approval of judge(s), and police have to record the reasons for doing so.
