‘Must be some end to time frame’, SC to Centre on delay on guidelines on seizure of electronic devices

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Centre there must be some time frame as the Union government said that guidelines will be formulated by a committee in connection with the seizure of electronic devices such as phones and laptops by investigating agencies.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju submitted before a bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia that the committee is being set up.

"We will come out with guidelines,” he said.

Raju asked the court to grant him some time.

Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, for one of the petitioners, submitted that Centre has delayed in coming up with guidelines on this matter.

“What is the problem? There must be some end to this time frame,” the bench said.

"When did we issue notice? Some timeframe has to be followed. Two years have passed," the bench added.

On his part, Raju said, “We are positive as far as this is concerned, some guidelines will come out.”

The bench said that two years have passed since a notice was issued on one of the petitions.

The ASG submitted the government will come out positive and the petitioners may give their suggestions, and the concerned authorities will consider it.

The bench said the petitioners have already given their suggestions.

“When will you come up with the guidelines," the bench asked Raju.

The ASG said he will come back with something next week.

At this juncture, Ramakrishnan said, “I am anxious that it should not be deleted from the list that day.”

Justice Kaul, however, said that he cannot guarantee that.

The apex court was informed that 300 devices have been seized from some 90 journalists following the NewsClick case.

“This is absolutely an assault on press freedom and academic freedom and they want to continue doing it. That is why they are delaying it endlessly,” the petitioner’s counsel said.

The court scheduled the matter for further hearing on December 14.

‘Foundation for Media Professionals’ sought a direction for comprehensive guidelines for the search and seizure of digital devices by investigating agencies.

On November 7, the Supreme Court had termed the matter as serious and asked the Centre to put in place guidelines on seizure of electronic devices like phones and laptops of individuals, particularly media professionals.