Delhi Court Upholds Release Of Electronics Devices Seized From Editors Of ‘The Wire’, Says Delhi Police Causing Undue Hardship To Them

A Delhi Court has dismissed a plea moved by the Delhi Police against a magisterial court’s order which ordered the release of the electronic devices seized from editors of “The Wire” during searches conducted in October last year in relation to an FIR lodged against them by BJP leader Amit Malviya.Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Singh Rajawat of Tis Hazari Courts upheld the order passed. A Delhi Court has dismissed a plea moved by the Delhi Police against a magisterial court’s order which ordered the release of the electronic devices seized from editors of “The Wire” during searches conducted in October last year in relation to an FIR lodged against them by BJP leader Amit Malviya. Dismissing Delhi Police’s revision petition, the court said that the editors are working for the portal which is engaged in disseminating news and information and the electronic devices were being used for their work. “It is also to be noted that the investigating agency by continuous seizure of electronic devices of the respondents, is not only causing undue hardship to them, but impinges upon their fundamental right of Freedom of profession, occupation, trade or business as guaranteed under Article 19 as well as Freedom of Speech and expression under Article 19 of the Constitution of India as admittedly the respondents are working for news portal The Wire which is engaged in disseminating news and information and the electronic devices were being used for their work,” the court said.