Top court pulls up govt over delay in framing norms on devices' seizure

The Supreme Court questioned the Union government on Wednesday over the delay in framing fresh guidelines on confiscation of devices such as mobile phones and laptops during investigation by law enforcement agencies even as the Centre submitted that it has set up a committee to look into the feasibility of such norms.

- Utkarsh Anand

Appearing before a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia, additional solicitor general SV Raju submitted that he is "positive" that the committee will propose certain guidelines that he would adduce before the bench on the next date of hearing.

But the bench retorted: "When did we issue notice? Some time frame has to be followed. Two years have passed, Mr Raju!"

Responding, the ASG said: "We are positive that there will be some guidelines. It's just that over the last 10 days, I have been unwell. They may give their suggestions. We will consider them and come up with something." 

Even as the bench took note of the ASG's statement, it pointed out that the matter had been pending since 2021, asking for a specific timeline for the guidelines.

The bench fixed the next hearing on December 14, after hearing the ASG's submission where he assured the Court that he would inform the bench about the status of the guidelines next week and push for expendition of the committee's work.

During the brief hearing, senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan pointed out that the suggestions from both sides were already on record and, hence, there should not be any delay by the committee on such grounds.