The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected a review plea against an order which dismissed a PIL against Truecaller alleging that the global caller ID Platform violates the right of privacy of citizens of India.

A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora dismissed the review petition with Rs. 10,000 costs.

The plea was filed by one Ajay Shukla, who was appearing in person, seeking review of an order passed on February 12 dismissing his PIL.

Shukla sought a direction on the Union Government and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to take action against Truecaller International LLP. It was his case that Truecaller provides caller ID services to about 250 million subscribers in India by allegedly bypassing the law.

Shukla also alleged that Truecaller damages the reputation of citizens as it gives an option to mark contact numbers as spams.

The court had dismissed the PIL as it did not find any merit in Shukla's submission that due to additional allegations of damage to reputation raised, a distinct cause has arisen in his favour to enable him to maintain the petition.

The bench had noted that a similar petition was filed by Shukla before the Supreme Court which was dismissed as withdrawn.

“We are of the considered opinion that the present petition filed as a PIL is in violation of the PIL Rules, 2010. The Petitioner has violated Rule 9 (h) of the PIL Rules, 2010, by failing to disclose filing of W.P.(C) No. 1/2022 and its dismissal,” the court had said.

Title: AJAY SHUKLA v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 328