The Supreme Court of India has ruled that courts cannot require accused individuals to share their Google PIN location as a condition for granting bail
. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan determined that such a condition violates the right to privacy protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The ruling came in response to an appeal against bail conditions set by the Delhi High Court for Frank Vitus, a Nigerian national accused in a drugs case. The High Court had ordered Vitus and a co-accused to share their Google Maps location with the investigating officer.
Justice Oka stated, “It cannot be a bail condition. We agree that there are two instances where this Court has done it, but it cannot be a condition for bail”. The court also deemed the practice of requiring accused individuals to obtain assurances from their embassies about not leaving India as too stringent.
This decision highlights the Supreme Court’s commitment to protecting privacy rights while balancing law enforcement needs. The ruling sets a precedent that will likely impact future bail conditions across India, emphasizing the need for courts to respect individuals’ privacy even when granting bail.
