Rajasthan High Court Security Breach: 5 SOG Case Files Deleted From System

A major security breach occurred at the Jodhpur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court, where five SOG case files were deleted from the electronic system using an employee's ID, leading to the cancellation of hearings.

A significant security breach has been reported within the Rajasthan High Court, raising serious concerns about the safety of judicial digital infrastructure. According to reports, the electronic system of the Jodhpur Bench of the Rajasthan High Court was allegedly tampered with, leading to the disappearance of five crucial case files. This digital interference resulted in the disruption of scheduled judicial proceedings, as the cases couldn't be heard due to their absence from the system. These files pertained to cases registered by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police. Following the discovery of this breach, law enforcement authorities have registered a case against unidentified individuals and initiated a comprehensive investigation to uncover the facts and identify the perpetrators.

Tampering Executed Days Before Scheduled Hearing

On Thursday, August 13, the Rajasthan Police provided detailed information regarding the tampering incident involving the Jodhpur High Court's electronic system. Police officials revealed that 5 cases associated with First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Special Operations Group (SOG) were removed from the court's digital records. The investigation indicates that an official employee ID was utilized to gain unauthorized access and delete these records. As a direct consequence of this manipulation, the cases were excluded from the official cause list, leading to the suspension of the hearings that were originally scheduled for August 5. According to police findings, this alleged act of tampering took place on July 31, exactly 5 days prior to the scheduled court date.

The Critical Role of Electronic Systems in Judiciary

The electronic system in modern courts serves as a vital component for managing various judicial functions efficiently. It's used for providing real-time updates on case status, operating live display boards, facilitating e-filing services, and maintaining digital cause lists. Also, the system supports paperless judicial proceedings for specific matters, such as bail applications. The integrity of this system is paramount for the smooth functioning of the judiciary. The recent breach highlights a vulnerability where digital records can be manipulated, potentially affecting the delivery of justice and the management of sensitive legal documentation.

Legal Action and Registration of FIR

Once the tampering was confirmed, the Rajasthan High Court administration took swift legal action. A formal complaint was lodged by Devendra Singh Bhati, the Registrar (Judicial) of the Rajasthan High Court. Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered at the Kudi Bhagtasni police station on August 12. The police have invoked various sections of the law against unknown persons, including charges related to criminal conspiracy, theft, and cybercrime, while somkaran, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kudi Bhagtasni, stated that the investigation has commenced following the registration of the FIR. The police are currently focusing on tracing the digital footprint of the activity to determine who accessed the system using the employee's credentials and the motive behind the deletion of the SOG case files.