The Hyderabad Police are stopping commuters on roads and checking their phones for chats related to drugs, according to news reports on October 28.
A video where cops are stopping people to check their WhatsApp messages for words such as 'ganja' and 'drugs' is being widely shared on social media.
The video first posted on Twitter showed commuters apparently unlocking their phones and handing them over to the police.
New policing practices alert: stop and search phone chats by the @hydcitypolice. Police are searching phone chats for words like ganja. Wait until they replace words with NRC, Modi or BJP. pic.twitter.com/1lNjvKRIgk— Srinivas Kodali (@digitaldutta) October 27, 2021
Speaking to The News Minute, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Gajarao Bhupal confirmed that police was carrying out such raids. “Yes, I am aware that phones are being checked. However, we are not forcing anybody nor are we snatching away their phones to check. People are cooperating and no one is complaining, so I don’t think there is anything illegal,” he said.
When asked if the public had an option of refusing to give their phones, the DCP said they can and added, “However, we will then have to see what legal provisions apply. So far, we have not faced any such issue. There are no specific instructions as there has not been any issue so far.”
According to India Today, over 100 policemen took part in the search operation in the Asadbaba Nagar area of Bahadurpura police limits. 58 vehicles were searched during the drive and "10 rowdy-sheeters were taken into custody and they were counselled to refrain from criminal activities," it reported earlier in the day.
This crackdown by Hyderabad Police comes close on the heels of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan being booked in connection with drug raids by NCB on a cruise ship.
However, several Twitter users including social media activists and lawyers termed it as an invasion of citizens’ privacy.
Why are so many of you surprised like we haven't had people's "chats" read on national TV?
If you think surveillance isn't here yet, what you essentially mean is that surveillance isn't here for YOU yet. https://t.co/bv8xdsexq5— Disha Ravi (@disharavii) October 28, 2021
Checking phones of the commuters/motorists by the Police personnel, is invasion of individuals privacy and is an infringement of the Fundamental Rights, it's perse illegal and arbitrary.— SG (@seshagiribv) October 28, 2021
So right to privacy is becoming a myth now in hyderabad too? So what they gonna do book a person who uses the word ganja? Barely on whatsapp chat?— Sohail Ahmed (@sohail_050) October 28, 2021
What a gross infringement on the right if privacy?? Have we, as a nation, completely lost it?? Man, this country is a joke. Even the most backward country wouldn't do such a thing.. Unbelievable @VenkatBalmoor @seethakkaMLA https://t.co/Q5w88wWwec— anonVmous (@vvtayde) October 28, 2021
