Case Title: SIVA RAMA KRISHNA And MR.SASI NARKIS BABU V & ANR
Case No: CRIMINAL PETITION No.1985 OF 2023
Date of order: 28-07-2023
CORAM: HON’BLE JUSTICE JUSTICE M NAGAPRASANNA
INTRODUCTION
The Karnataka High Court has declined the request to dismiss legal actions commenced against a 27-year-old individual. This person is alleged to have disclosed confidential information regarding the Light Combat Aircraft, which was created as part of the Tejas program by the Aeronautical Development Agency. The information was reportedly shared on the dark web with the intention of personal gain.
FACTS
Siva Rama Krishna Chennuboina, a 27-year-old individual, was accused of leaking sensitive data related to the Light Combat Aircraft developed under the Tejas program by the Aeronautical Development Agency. The data was allegedly leaked onto the dark web for personal financial gain. Chennuboina had been an intern at the Indian Institute of Science, where he was involved in projects sanctioned by the Aeronautical Development Agency for the Ministry of Defence. During his internship, he had access to the source code for the Light Combat Aircrafts.
It was alleged that Chennuboina had illicitly obtained the complete source code and published it for sale on the dark web. The activities came to the attention of authorities approximately 18 months after they were initiated. Criminal proceedings were initiated against him under various sections of the Information Technology Act, 2008, and Section 380 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Chennuboina filed a petition seeking to quash the proceedings against him, arguing that there had been a significant delay in registering the crime. He claimed innocence and argued against further investigation, asserting that it would constitute an abuse of the legal process.
COURT ANALYSIS
The Karnataka High Court, in a decision rendered by a single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna, dismissed Chennuboina’s petition to quash the criminal proceedings against him. The court rejected the argument of delay in investigation raised by Chennuboina, emphasizing that complex investigations such as this one, involving sensitive national security matters, require time and thorough scrutiny.
The court highlighted the gravity of Chennuboina’s alleged actions, stating that leaking highly sensitive defense data onto the dark web could compromise the security of the nation and destabilize its defense capabilities. The court noted that the usage of the dark web for such illicit purposes poses a significant threat to national security.
Further, the court stated that the occurrence of massive data theft and auction on the dark web is a concerning issue for nations worldwide, including India. It emphasized the need to investigate the root causes of data theft, uploading sensitive defense data onto the dark web for financial gains, and to deal sternly with individuals involved in such activities.
In light of these considerations, the court rejected Chennuboina’s claims of innocence and quashed his petition. The court directed the investigation agency to complete the investigation within four months.
Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected its recognition of the seriousness of the alleged offense, the potential national security implications, and the need for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the truth and bring the responsible parties to justice.
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Written by- Shreya Sharma
