Failure Of Accused To Produce His Mobile Phone During Custody Not 'Non-Cooperation': Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that the accused’s failure to produce their mobile phones during custody cannot be considered non-cooperation, as they are protected under Article 20(3) of the Constitution. The case involved N. Suresh Babu and Avutu Srinivasa Reddy, who were accused of forcibly entering a political office and attacking supporters. The prosecution argued that the mobile phones were crucial for the investigation. However, the court emphasized that the accused cannot be coerced to disclose passwords or other details of digital devices during an ongoing trial. The court noted that material objects and electronic evidence were already collected by the police and that the continued detention of the accused was unnecessary, granting them bail.