Delhi HC rejects plea for destroying transcripts of calls, texts intercepted by CBI
Delhi High Court
has rejected an accused's plea for destroying transcripts of calls and messages allegedly illegally intercepted by
CBI
, underlining
corruption
's "pervasive impact" on country's economy.
Justice Amit Mahajan on June 26 also dismissed the petition of one
Aakash Deep Chouhan
against an order of the trial court framing
criminal conspiracy
charges under IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Holding it to be a legal interception, the high court said the interception orders passed by the union Ministry of Home Affairs showed they were passed "for the reason of
public safety
" in the interest of public order to prevent incitement to commission of an offence.
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
default
, selected
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Benefits of Hiring a Data-Driven Digital Marketing Agency in Singapore.
TechBullion
Undo
"The threat posed by corruption cannot be understated. Corruption has a pervasive impact on a nation's economy and the same can impact anything from infrastructural development to resource allocation," the order read.
It continued, "Corruption by a public servant has far reaching consequences as it serves to not only erode public trust and cast aspersions on the integrity of public institutions, but also renders the public at large susceptible and vulnerable by threatening the economic safety of the country."
Live Events
The court, therefore, held no case was made for the destruction of the transcripts.
The CBI alleged conspiracy for securing a sub-contract for steel work from M/s Shapoorji Pallonji and Company (P) Ltd in favour of M/s Capacite Structures Limited in the project awarded to it by M/s NBCC (India) Ltd.
Pradeep, a public servant, allegedly demanded a new motorcycle as illegal gratification to exercise his influence with senior functionaries of NBCC.
The demand was conveyed by another accused Rishabh, who acted as a middleman to facilitate the transaction, to accused Sanjay, the managing director of M/s Capacite Structures Limited, the CBI alleged.
Chouhan, who was an employee of accused Sanjay, had reportedly purchased the motorcycle to be given as bribe to Pradeep.
Chouhan, in his plea, contended that interceptions were unlawfully and illegally carried out by CBI in violation of his fundamental rights and statutory safeguards and accordingly, they were inadmissible as evidence.
He also submitted that the material brought forth by CBI after investigation, including the calls, did not make out a case of grave suspicion against him.
Opposing the plea, the CBI argued destruction of the intercepted calls was not warranted and the condition precedent of public safety, as prescribed under the Indian Telegraph Act, was met in the case.
CBI said the allegations against Chouhan related to corruption, which posed a risk on the economic well being of the country and its people.
Rejecting the plea, the court said though every person had a fundamental right to privacy, the same wasn't absolute and couldnt be curtailed by procedure established by law.
The Centre or a state government or any officer specially authorised could legally carry out interception or surveillance in the event of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, it added.
The court observed the serious nature of allegations in the present case, if proven, would render dubious the entire process of awarding of tenders and bids on the basis of personal influence with senior officers rather than benefit of the public at large.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
SC gives bail to former West Bengal Minister in cash-for-jobs scam
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 18, 2025) granted bail to former West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjee in a cash-for-jobs scam case, noting his continued detention for three years without trial is a travesty of justice. A Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh directed the framing of charges in the case on learning that sanction has been granted for his prosecution. The Bench ordered the former Minister to be released only after the trial court completed the examination of material witnesses in the case within two months. The apex court also granted bail to Subires Bhattacharya and Shantiprasad Sinha, both of whom had held senior positions in the State's education bodies, in the case. Mr. Chatterjee was the Education Minister of West Bengal. The top court had granted him bail in a connected money laundering case in December last year. However, Mr. Chatterjee was already in CBI custody at the time. The CBI was investigating the predicate offences against him, including under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bihar SIR row: Election Commission invites claims, objections on Bihar draft rolls till Sept 1- How to file claim?
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday said all eligible electors left out of Bihar's draft electoral roll published on August 1, 2025, can file their claim in Form 6, along with a copy of their aadhaar card, before September 1. Similarly, if any ineligible elector has been included in the draft roll, any aggrieved elector of that assembly constituency (AC) can file specific objection in Form 7 within the same deadline. However, if the aggrieved person is not an elector from that AC, he will be required to file a specific objection, along with declaration/oath as per Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Elector Rules, 1960 (RER). It is the same declaration that EC has been asking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to submit. EC on Monday shared that no applications have been received by the electoral registration officer (ERO) from any person other than electors of that assembly constituency under Rule 20(3)(b) of RER, 1960. As per the declaration under Rule 20(3)(b), the one aggrieved must 'affirm and state on oath that the statement I am about to make under Rule 20 of RER concerning name of person proposed for inclusion or exclusion, part no. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ₹6 Cr+ Max Estates 3 & 4 Bhk In Sector 36A Max Estates - Estate 361 Book Now Undo and serial no. (in the electoral roll) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief' and that 'I am not an elector of the said constituency'. The person must further acknowledge that he is aware that a false declaration regarding the electoral roll and submitting false evidence are punishable under Section 31 of R P Act and Section 227 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) respectively. Booth level agents of political parties too can submit claims (collected from aggrieved electors) in Form 6 and file objections in Form 7, along with the prescribed declaration to the booth level officer. This declaration says that the information being furnished is on the basis of proper verification of the draft electoral roll shared with him and that he is aware that any false declaration will invite penal action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (making a false declaration). In its update on Monday on claims and objections filed on the Bihar draft roll so far, EC disclosed that no claims and objections have been received from party BLAs, though 45,616 electors have directly made claims and objections, of which 1,348 have been disposed of. Over 1.5 lakh forms have been received from new electors, including six through BLAs.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Farmers pay tribute to former Governor Satyapal Malik at Jagadhri Memorial gathering
A memorial gathering was organized today by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Charuni at the Jagadhri grain market in Yamunanagar district to pay tribute to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik, who passed away recently. The event, attended by a large number of farmers from Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, was led by BKU Charuni national president Gurnam Singh Charuni. Farmers strongly criticized the BJP government for denying state honours to Satyapal Malik, alleging that the decision was politically motivated. Speakers recalled that while serving as Governor, Malik openly spoke against the BJP government's policies, supported the farmers' movement, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage directly with protesting farmers to resolve the agitation. Malik had also condemned the Pulwama terror attack and demanded a transparent investigation, which, according to farmers' leaders, became the reason behind the government's denial of state honours after his demise. 'Any person who speaks for the nation and against the wrong policies of the government is branded as anti-national. The same happened with Satyapal Malik. He never spoke against the nation. Even Shaheed Bhagat Singh was denied martyr status by the governments of the time,' said Gurnam Singh Charuni while addressing the gathering. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He demanded that the government immediately accord state honours to Malik, warning that if the demand is ignored, memorial meetings will be organized at every district headquarters as a mark of protest. Charuni added that it is the government's responsibility to pay tribute to Satyapal Malik with full state honours. The memorial ceremony was presided over by farmer leader Krishan Pal Sudhal and saw participation from several political parties, who also voiced opposition to the government's policies. Leaders announced that on September 14, a united memorial program will be organized in Delhi by all farmers' organizations in Malik's honour. Prominent attendees included BKU's acting state president Karam Singh Mathana, district president Sanju Gundiana, women's state president Suman Hooda, Manoj Nagar from Uttar Pradesh, Happy Harpal from Punjab, Krishan from Kurukshetra, Malkit from Ambala, Vikram Kasana, youth state president Ashok Latwal from Sonipat, Mamta from Rohtak, Same Singh from Rewari, Numberdar from Sirsa, Ranjit from Fatehabad, Narendra Singh from Panchkula, and state media in-charge Sandeep Singroha. The turnout highlighted farmers' continuing discontent with the government's handling of dissenting voices and reaffirmed their solidarity with leaders who stand against anti-farmer policies.
