High Court Directs Delhi Police To Ensure Complainants' Personal Information Is Not Put In Pubic Domain On ZIPNET To Avoid Cyber Crimes

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to ensure that vital personal information of the complainants in missing cases is not put in the public domain on ZIPNET (Zonal Integrated Police Network) to eliminate the possibility of extortion calls by cybercriminals.

A division bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to issue necessary directions to the said effect.

“…the respondent-State is directed to take all necessary steps to ensure that in all such cases, the vital personal information of complainant is not put in public domain and only the name and contact details of SHO or IO of the case are reflected on ZIPNET,” the court ordered.

It added: “This would, obviously, eliminate the possibility of such type of extortion calls by cyber criminals. Commissioner of Police, Delhi is also accordingly directed to issue necessary directions to said effect.”

The bench was dealing with a habeas corpus plea moved by a mother seeking direction on the Delhi Police to produce her minor son who was missing.

It was her case that her father-in-law received a WhatsApp message from two mobile numbers asking him to transfer some money to an account number in order to get information about the missing child.

As per Delhi Police's status report, there was no clue about the missing child despite searching for the minor on ZIPNET, local route, social media group of police officers, detailed WT message to all DCPs and SSPs in the country and declaration of reward of Rs. 50,000.

The Delhi Police told the court that any person can access ZIPNET and from there, they can find the details of mobile numbers of any complainant who lodges a complaint regarding a missing person. It was submitted that such persons hacked the number and called complainants asking them to deposit money in some account.

The court was informed that presently, on ZIPNET, the phone numbers and other details of complainants are no longer accessible to the public. However, the court was assured that the contact details of the SHO or IO of the case shall stand reflected to ensure that the contact details of complainants are not misused by any such miscreants.

The court has adjourned the case to April 10 and directed the Delhi Police to look into the matter and take steps to reach the missing son.

Title: MANJU PANDEY v. STATE THROUGH SHO PS WAZIRPUR & ANR.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 364

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