The Delhi High Court on Thursday heard a plea seeking protection of Right to Privacy and Right to Fair Trial filed by Disha Ravi, a climate change activist and accused in the Toolkit case, seeking direction to the police against leaking any information to the media in relation to the FIR lodged against her.
A Single Judge Bench of Justice Rekha Palli acknowledged that the present petition raises an important question of public importance and slated the matter for further hearing on September 27.
Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal informed the court that during the course of investigation, when the petitioner was in custody, the Delhi Police took possession of her mobile phone and her private chats found their way in the media. Mr Sibal further stated that the media outlets admitted that the chats were obtained from police sources, but refused to reveal their sources.
Advocate Amit Mahajan, appearing on behalf of police, categorically denied the allegation and stated that no leak has happened from the police. Deputy Commissioner (Cyber Cell Unit) of Special Cell, Anyesh Roy filed an affidavit, stating that no information or document forming part of the case file, including the subject chats, have been shared by the police with any media house or individual, except the information communicated officially through press briefing or broadcast, which is a matter of record.
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Disha Ravi was arrested on February 13, 2021 from Bengaluru by a Cyber Cell team of Delhi Police for her alleged involvement in an online toolkit related to farmer protest.