SC allows ED to access I-PAC functionary's seized phone data, rejects privacy plea

• The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by I-PAC functionary Jitendra Mehta seeking to restrain the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from accessing data on his seized mobile phone.
• Mehta's phone was confiscated during a January 8 raid at I-PAC's Delhi office as part of an alleged money-laundering probe.
• He argued that accessing the phone's data would violate his right to privacy, seeking an interim order to prevent forensic extraction.
• A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned the privacy fears, stating, "Why are you so afraid?.... We know how to protect an innocent citizen."
• The SC's decision clears the way for the ED to proceed with accessing and analyzing the digital data, with Mehta scheduled to appear before the agency on Friday.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court rejects I-PAC functionary's privacy plea, allowing ED to access seized phone data for probe.