New Delhi — Police in Delhi have asked a court to place Snapchat user Siya Goyal in custody, arguing that a face‑to‑face interrogation with her alleged boyfriend, Chetan Chaudhary, is required to clarify the meaning of a private conversation about a “wedding that won’t happen.” The request was filed after investigators traced a Snapchat message in which Goyal allegedly asked Chaudhary to share his Aadhaar number so she could book a ticket for a wedding that was later described as “not happening.” The court’s decision on the custody petition is pending.
The Snapchat exchange, first reported by NDTV, shows Goyal typing, “Please send me your Aadhaar so I can book a ticket for the wedding that won’t happen,” and Chaudhary responding with a brief acknowledgment. Police allege that the cryptic wording could be linked to a broader investigation, though they have not disclosed the specific case details or any alleged criminal conduct.
Authorities say the custodial interview is essential to determine whether the conversation is part of a larger scheme, possibly involving fraud or misuse of personal identification data. Goyal’s legal counsel has not yet commented on the request for custody, and no formal charges have been filed against either party.
Analysis:
The police’s justification hinges on the premise that the meaning of the phrase “wedding that won’t happen” cannot be resolved without direct questioning of both parties. This raises questions about the threshold for custodial interrogation in cases involving private messaging on social media platforms. While the request cites the need to interpret ambiguous language, it does not specify any alleged illegal activity tied to the Aadhaar request. Critics may view the move as an overreach, especially given India’s strong privacy protections around Aadhaar data. However, law enforcement officials argue that any misuse of the biometric identifier warrants thorough investigation, given past instances of identity‑theft and fraud linked to Aadhaar.
The case also highlights the challenges courts face when balancing investigative needs with individual liberty. If the court grants custody, it could set a precedent for broader police powers to compel in‑person interviews based on digital communications whose context is disputed.
Sources
NDTV, “Siya sought Aadhaar on Snapchat to book ticket to wedding that won’t happen,” https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/siya-sought-aadhaar-on-snapchat-to-book-ticket-to-wedding-that-wont-happen-11725722#publisher=newsstand
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source
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