CBI Files Cancellation Report, Exonerates Retired Chandigarh Police SP in Mobile Location Data Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially cleared retired Chandigarh Police Superintendent of Police (SP) Roshan Lal of all charges in a two-year-old case that involved allegations of unlawfully sharing a woman's mobile tower location data. In a significant development, the agency has submitted a cancellation report to the special CBI court, effectively closing the case due to lack of evidence.
Investigation Finds No Incriminating Evidence
After conducting a thorough and prolonged investigation, the CBI concluded that there was no material evidence to substantiate the allegations against SP Roshan Lal or Inspector Pavnesh Kumar, who was posted in the police communication wing at the time. The cancellation report, filed in the court of Judicial Magistrate Neelam, states that no incriminating proof was found against either officer.
The FIR against the two officers was registered by the CBI in 2024 following serious accusations that the tower location details of a woman and her husband were illegally accessed and shared with the accused in a separate molestation case. The agency had invoked Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
Background of the Case and Departmental Actions
According to official records, the case originated on November 23, 2020, when the woman approached the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Chandigarh, alleging that an unknown person was tracking her and her husband's mobile phones, causing them significant mental distress. The SSP promptly ordered a departmental inquiry, which was conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime).
During this inquiry, it was alleged that Inspector Pavnesh Kumar, acting on the instructions of SP Roshan Lal, had shared the mobile tower location data with a third party. Following these allegations, departmental action was initiated against both officers, and the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI for a more comprehensive investigation.
Court Proceedings and Future Hearings
The special CBI court has now taken cognizance of the cancellation report and has issued a notice to the complainant, providing her with an opportunity to present her stand on the matter. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 30, where further proceedings will take place based on the submissions from both sides.
This development marks a crucial turn in the case, highlighting the CBI's findings that the involvement of the officers could not be proven. The clean chit given to the retired SP and the inspector brings closure to a case that had been under scrutiny for several years, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based conclusions in legal matters.
