Centre to SC: Panel being set up for guidelines on seizure of e-devices

“What is the problem? There must be some end to this time frame,” Justice Kaul asked the ASG, who said he is positive that some guidelines will come out soon. He added that the petitioners can also give their suggestions which will be considered.

The bench pointed out that the petitioners had already given their suggestions and reminded that it had issued notice to the Centre more than two years ago, in March 2021. With the ASG submitting that he will apprise the court of the developments next week, the bench adjourned the hearing to December 14. Justice Kaul told the law officer to “get it done”.

The bench was hearing petitions which contended that probe agencies had unregulated powers in the matter of search and seizure of digital devices containing “much, if not all, of a citizen’s personal and professional life”. They pointed out that currently in India, there are no guidelines regarding when and what may be seized, what can be accessed, what kind of protection is ensured for personal data.

The petitioners referred to standard practices followed in other countries in the subject matter and sought similar guidelines. Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan referred to raids carried out on media professionals, terming it an assault on the Press and academic freedom.