Nishita Mhatre, J.

1. An extremely disturbing and alarming issue has arisen before us regarding alleged acts of corruption committed by persons who hold high public offices in the State of West Bengal. It is disquieting and deplorable to say the least. If the allegations are true such persons have no business to continue in the positions they hold today either as elected representatives of the people of West Bengal or as Ministers of the Government of West Bengal or in employment as a senior officer in the State’s Police force. If the accusations are false, it is worrisome that the reputation of these individuals has been sullied by a person who claims to be a journalist and has published audio-video footage depicting these alleged acts; and, by others, who claiming to be public spirited citizens have filed these public interest litigations on viewing that footage.

2. The Petitioners in WP 5243(W) of 2016 and WP 5175(W) of 2016 and the second Petitioner in WP 5224(W) of 2016 are all practicing advocates. The first Petitioner in WP 5224(W) of 2016 is a businessman and the General Secretary of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. As the issues involved in these petitio