The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea filed by Activist Disha Ravi seeking to restrain Delhi Police from leaking any investigation material relating to the FIR filed against her in connection with the Toolkit case.
21 year old environment activist Disha Ravi who was arrested and sent for 5 days remand on allegations of involvement in the Toolkit case today moved the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Delhi Police from leaking any investigation material relating to case filed against her by the PS Special Cell, including alleged contents of private chats/communication by her to any third party, including the media.
According to Ravi, the police had pre-judged her guilt and had been putting out a “biased and defamatory narrative” about her role in violation of the Union home ministry’s guidelines. She has also sought a ban on private TV channels from publishing contents of her WhatsApp conversations.
While Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the police, said that no leaks were made by the police and they were ready to file an affidavit in this regard, senior advocate Akhil Sibal, appearing for Ravi, argued that police was behind the leakage of information.
The High Court directed the Delhi Police to file a counter affidavit in the matter by tomorrow morning and also took on record Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement on behalf of Delhi Police that nothing has been leaked from their end.
Sibal also sought a statement by police that no information on the case will be shared with the media in future. However, the SG opposed this and said that the demand was being made for media attention.
In her plea, Ravi had also sought action against India Today, Times Now and News 18 for violative reporting in the Toolkit Case by allegedly running "one-sided" reports. The High Court has issued notice to NBSA, TimesNow and News18. India Today was represented in the Court.
Ravi submitted that the illegal actions and omissions on part of the news channels has irrevocably violated her fundamental right to privacy, her right to reputation, her dignity, and the consequent effect of the administration of justice and right to fair trial – all guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.