SC Notice to Adv Arrested For Alleged Illegal Possession Of Call Detail Records Of Bollywood Actors [Read Petition]

The Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra issued notice to advocate Rizwan Alam Siddiqui, who was arrested last week by Mumbai Police for alleged illegal possession of the call detail records (CDRs) of Bollywood actors and later released by the Bombay High Court (HC).

The bench also stayed the high court’s order for departmental action against Maharashtra police officials, including Thane DCP, for arresting advocate Siddiqui.

Siddiqui has been accused of running a racket to get call detail records of Bollywood actors.

The bench was hearing an appeal filed by Maharashtra government, through its standing counsel advocate Nishant Khatneswarkar, challenging the high court’s release order as well as the remarks against the senior police officer.
Mukul Rohatgi for Maharashtra argued that “it was a scam and for money. These people collect money and get the phone call records of leading Bollywood actors”.

On the habeas corpus writ petition, filed by the advocate’s wife, the high court had allowed it with certain observations against the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). According to the Maharashtra government’s plea, the officer has an unblemished service record.

In the appeal, the state seeks the remarks to be expunged.

“The high court has erred in making observations against Mr. Abhishek Trimukhe, DCP CID, Thane. The said officer is not the investigating officer. The said officer went to attend the high court on the direction of the Commissioner of Police, Thane as a mark of respect and to show bonafide about the case in hand. Without verifying the above aspects, the high court made observations against the said officer....Mr. Abhishek Trimukhe is a direct IPS officer who has unblemished record. Mr. Abhishek Trimukhe is a decorated officer. If the remarks in the impugned order are not expunged, service career of a young officer may be in difficulty.”

Read the Petition Here