No coercive action against Lokesh Sharma, OSD to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in Delhi Police phone tapping FIR: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that no coercive action should be taken against Lokesh Sharma, Officer on Special Duty (Computer Communication Cell) to Rajasthan Chief Minister (CM) Ashok Gehlot, in connection with a case registered with the Delhi Police in a phone tapping case..The order was passed by Justice Suresh Kait in Lokesh Sharma's petition seeking quashing of the First Information Report (FIR) registered by Delhi Police against him. .The Court issued notice in the petition and granted interim relief to Sharma till the next date of hearing. .No stay on investigation was ordered by the Court. .In his petition, Sharma informed the Court that the FIR pertained to the broadcast of certain audio conversations between BJP Cabinet Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other persons about "using corrupt and illegal means to topple" the Congress government in Rajasthan last year. .The FIR was lodged under Section 26 Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Sections 72, 72A Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 409,120B Indian Penal Code, 1860 on a complaint made by Shekhawat. .Sharma contended that the FIR is purely motivated and entirely mala fide and an abuse of process as no cognizable offence is made out against him. .The FIR, he submitted, was a "tool of political vendetta" and a means to "settle a political score" after FIRs that were registered against Shekhawat. .The Court was also informed that a complaint was made before a Jaipur court against Sharma and others on the issue of the leaked audio clips and the same was pending inquiry under Section 202 CrPC..Sharma, thus, prayed that either the Delhi FIR be quashed or be handed over to Jaipur Court as a 'Zero FIR'. .It was highlighted that no part of the cause of action arose in Delhi and the allegations pertained to occurrences that allegedly happened in the State of Rajasthan. .The matter would be heard next on August 6. .Senior Advocate Siddharth Aggarwal appeared for Lokesh Sharma. The petition was filed by Advocates Anoopam N. Prasad, Nitin Saluja. .Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani appeared for Shekhawat and Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared for State of Rajasthan.

No coercive action against Lokesh Sharma, OSD to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in Delhi Police phone tapping FIR: Delhi High Court

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