Constitutional & Criminal Law / rights guide

Electronic Device Seizures & Privacy

Challenging warrantless search and seizure of personal phones, laptops, and digital media, asserting privacy rights under Article 21.

Statutory provisions and authorities

  • Article 21 Constitution of India (K.S. Puttaswamy v. UOI)
  • BNSS § 94 & 105 (Summons to Produce Documents or Things / Search Warrants)
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam § 61 & 63 (Admissibility of Electronic Records)

Citizen safeguards

  • Protection against arbitrary seizure without judicial warrant or FIR nexus
  • Right against coerced disclosure of passwords and cryptographic keys (Art. 20(3))
  • Right to generate and verify SHA-256 hash values of all seized storage media
  • Right to safe custody and preservation of privileged professional data

Procedural guide

Digital Privacy and Law Enforcement Searches

In *K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India*, a nine-judge bench established that privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21. A personal mobile device or computer contains intimate records of personal life, privileged communications, and sensitive correspondence.

1. Digital Hash Value (Hash Generation)

2. Refusal of Passwords

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