Ad-interim protection against access to digital device contents and stay of PMLA summons pending further hearing

Notice was issued in the writ petition and the interim-relief application, and pending the returnable date the Court granted ad-interim protection against access to and copying of contents from the identified mobile phone and electronic devices. It also stayed the summons under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 to the extent they required the concerned persons to remain present for extraction of data stored in digital devices. The matter was directed to be heard with connected proceedings.

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Issues: Whether notice should be issued in the writ petition and on the application for interim relief, and whether ad-interim protection should be granted against access to the contents of the mobile phone and other electronic devices and against operation of the summons under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 pending further hearing.

Analysis: Notice was directed in the petition and in the application for interim relief. Pending the returnable date, the Court granted ad-interim protection in terms of the specified prayer clauses, including restraint against access and copying of the contents of the identified devices and stay of the summons to the extent they required the presence of the concerned persons for extraction of data stored in the digital devices.

Outcome: Ad-interim relief granted and notice issued, with the matter directed to be heard along with connected proceedings.

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