Gurugram cops file case against WhatsApp officials for not cooperating in probe

The Gurugram Police filed a case against WhatsApp’s directors and nodal officers after the app refused to provide information about certain accounts in connection with an investigation.
According to the police, during an investigation of the case, the Gurugram Police sent a notice to WhatsApp via mail on July 17, seeking specific information on certain mobile numbers. However, WhatsApp did not comply and instead raised objections in an illegal manner.
On July 25, the police sent another detailed request for information related to certain mobile numbers, but WhatsApp again did not respond by August 28. Despite repeated follow-ups, WhatsApp did not share the required information with the police.
Police have stated that WhatsApp’s lack of cooperation is helping the accused in this case. Consequently, a case was filed against WhatsApp’s directors and nodal officers on Saturday at Gurugram’s Cyber Crime East police station under sections 223(A), 241, 249(C) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
“Despite being legally bound to provide the desired information under the existing laws of the country, WhatsApp management has violated the legal instructions by not providing the information sought,” police said in a statement.