Guidelines should be prepared on seizure of digital devices of journalists: SC to Centre

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked the central government to prepare guidelines for the investigative agencies regarding the seizure of digital devices like phones of journalists. One month has been allowed for this. A bench of Justices SK Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia clarified that the court can prepare it on Centre's request.

"Privacy is a fundamental right. Arbitrary searches and seizures of digital devices are a serious matter. A comprehensive guideline is essential to protect the interest of media workers. Giving absolute powers to investigative agencies is very dangerous. Government should not be a system working through investigative agencies.", the court observed. The plea will be heard again on December 6.

The stand is on the petition filed by the Foundation for Media Professionals asking the Supreme Court to directly issue guidelines. In the News Click case, the investigating agencies had seized the phones and laptops of many journalists.