Legal Framework for Surveillance — Legal Precedents

Legal Precedents

K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India

2017

This nine-judge bench judgment of the Supreme Court unequivocally declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It held that…

People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs Union of India

1997

This judgment was a precursor to Puttaswamy, addressing the issue of telephone tapping under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The Supreme Court recognized that telephone tapping…

Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India

2020

This case dealt with the internet shutdown and communication restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. The Supreme Court held that freedom of…

Shreya Singhal vs Union of India

2015

While primarily known for striking down Section 66A of the IT Act, this judgment is significant for surveillance as it reinforced the importance of free speech in the digital…

Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India

1978

This landmark judgment significantly expanded the interpretation of 'procedure established by law' under Article 21. It held that such a procedure must not be arbitrary, unfair,…