Disha Ravi Media Leak Case- Delhi High Court Gives 'One Last Opportunity' To UOI And Delhi Police To File Reply Within 2 Weeks

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted one final opportunity to Union of India and Delhi Police, also the respondent no. 1 and 2 to file replies within 2 weeks in the plea filed by Disha Ravi seeking to restrain Delhi police from leaking any investigation material relating to her case to the media.

Single judge bench comprising of Justice Pratibha M Singh directed the counsels appearing on behalf of Union of India and Delhi Police to file the reply in the matter within 2 weeks. Furthermore, the Court also directed rejoinders to be filed in the matter in further 2 weeks thereafter. The matter will now be taken up on 18th May 2021.

The development came after Advocate Akhil Sibal, counsel on behalf of Disha Ravi submitted that all the respondents in the case have filed their replies apart from Respondents 1 and 2 being Union of India and Delhi Police.

The Court had last month directed the Delhi Police to ensure that no leakage of information happens with regard to the investigation in the case registered in connection with the 'toolkit' over the farmers protests.

It was also directed by the Court that the Delhi Police shall follow the Ministry of Home Affairs' Office Memorandum dated Apr 1, 2010 titled "Advisory on Media Policy of Police", and to ensure compliance with their affidavit stating that there has not been and will not be any leakage from the Police's end to the media on vital details of the case.

According to Disha Ravi's plea, it has been argued that her whatsapp chats which are private in nature as well as her admissions and disclosure made during her time in police custody has been leaked in the public domain and therefore such disclosure was false, malicious and in violation of her right to privacy and free trial.