Govt servant can't claim right to privacy, says ex-SC judge

Ahmedabad: Without naming the beleaguered CBI chief Ranjit Sinha, former Supreme Court judge GS Singhvi on Saturday said a government servant cannot always claim right to privacy.

Sinha, who is facing the heat currently over disclosure of names in visitors' logbook allegedly maintained at his residence, had called it invasion of his privacy.

"I would not comment upon merit of case because it is sub-judice before the Supreme Court... He is an eminent holder of an eminent position in public life... Some people are visiting the gentleman... Some recording has been made at the gate of his residence and somebody has been successful in getting document regarding the entries," Singhvi said.

"Now his claims of right to privacy... One does not know what would be the claims of his privacy... But I have an apprehension that if an important government position holder can do it today... Tomorrow a terrorist organisation operating within the country can make similar claims," he added.

Singhvi, who was delivering Justice PD Desai memorial lecture on 'Right to Privacy: Justifiability of Interference by Print media, Electronic media and Social media' at the Gujarat Law Society here today, did not name Sinha though.

The judge, who retired from the apex court last year, further said, "If the legislature tried to enact a law involving the privacy of an individual, it would restrict the functioning of the media."