Secret call recordings allowed in divorce cases

THE Supreme Court on Monday set aside a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that prevented a man from using secret phone call recordings or surveillance of his wife as evidence in divorce proceedings, while noting that these recordings wouldn't be considered a "violation of privacy."

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

A two-judge bench, comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma, said, "We do not think there is any breach of privacy in this case. Section 122 of the Evidence Act does not recognise any such right. On the other hand, it carves out an exception to the right to privacy between spouses and therefore, cannot be applied horizontally at all."