A Delhi court has dismissed a case filed by an Indian Army Major seeking hotel CCTV footage and booking records to prove his wife’s alleged affair. The court emphasized that privacy is a fundamental right and criticized the outdated idea of blaming only the man in such cases.
The case was heard by Judge Vaibhav Pratap Singh at Patiala House Court, New Delhi.
The Army officer, who is going through a divorce, accused his wife of being in a relationship with a junior officer. He asked the court to order the hotel to release CCTV footage and booking records of the two individuals.
However, the court ruled against him.
“The dated idea of a man stealing away the wife of another man, without ascribing any role or responsibility to the woman, is to be rejected,” said Judge Singh.
“It takes agency away from women and dehumanises them.”
The judge also stated that the court is not a tool to gather evidence for internal or departmental proceedings.
“Courts are not meant to serve as investigative bodies for private disputes,” the court observed.
“Especially when no clear legal entitlement to that evidence exists.”
The plaintiff said he wanted to use the hotel records in disciplinary action against his wife’s alleged partner, who is his junior in the Army.
But the court emphasized that both the wife and the junior officer have a right to privacy.
“The right to privacy includes the right to be left alone,” the court noted.
The judge added that releasing hotel records without hearing from those involved would violate their privacy and could damage their reputations.
The ruling highlights the importance of privacy and gender equality in legal proceedings. It also reinforces that courts should not be used to collect evidence for personal or professional revenge.
