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URN: R
TEAM CODE: J
IN THE MATTER OF
Association for Citizens Welfare...PETITIONER
V.
Union of Megolia...RESPONDENT
C.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
1. Petitioner for the purposes of this memorandum shall stand for Association for Citizens
Welfare.
2. Respondent for the purposes of this memorandum stands for Union of Mengoliya
3. The laws of Megoliyana are in pari materia with the laws of India for the purposes of this
Moot Court Proposition. The names used in the proposition are only artificial and not to
wound or hurt any individual or institution.
4. decryption means the process of conversion of information in non-intelligible form to
an intelligible form via a mathematical formula, code, password or algorithm or a
combination thereof. [section 2(f) of Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards
for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009]
EXPANSION
All India Reporter
High Court
Honourable
Page No.
Read with Section
Supreme Court Cases
Supreme Court Reporter
Under Section
With Effect From
Union of India
Volume
Versus
Supplementary
Article
E. LEGISLATIONS
1. The Constitution of India, 1950
2. The Information Technology Act, 2008
3.Information Technology (procedures and safeguards for Interception, Monitoring
and Decryption of Information ) Rules, 2009
4. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
5. Public Property in the Prevention of Damages to Public Property Act, 1984
6. The Indian Penal Code 1860
7. Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
THE PETITIONER HAS FILED THIS WRIT PETITION UNDER ARTICLE 32 OF THE
CONSTITUTION
OF
INDIA
FOR
THE
VIOLATION
OF
FUNDAMENTAL
RIGHTS
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. Megoliyana was a colony of British Empire consisting of 510 princely states. It has got
freedom on 14th August 1947 and the British Government freed all the princely states with the
option of Independent status or to join the union of Megoliyana. Initially many of the princely
states were not willing to join the union but on a promise by the then Home Minister to surrender
only law and order, army and security to Megoliyana; gradually all the princely states agreed to
be part of the union on the condition that only three subjects will be transferred to union
government. After the Independence, Megoliyana has adopted a parliamentary system of
Government. The framer of the constitution of Megoliyana considered the diversity and
accordingly provided exemptions for culture and minority and to protect its identity guaranteed
this as fundamental right which is not absolute. The Constitution of the Megoliyana is the last
word for any issues relating to subject of law and governance.
2. In the state of Pan Goa, Cases relating to divorce have tremendously increased, extra-marital
practices are prevailing along with the social problems related to live-in-relationship.
3. In December, 2010 the Union Government has issued guidelines to authorities to install CCTV
cameras on all the streets and public places including near religious places, Garden and beaches.
This decision caused an uproar and protest across the states. The Chief Minister of Pan-Goa said
this decision can be implemented at the cast of my dead body. The union of Megoliyana made a
new regulation authorizing states to monitor all the celebration and state shall have right to get
decryption password of any encrypted data from any person across the union. Rule 5 of the
regulation which gave power to the union government to install CCTV.
4. People of Pan-Goa marched against this in the leadership of their Chief Minister and broken
all the CCTV camera and uploaded an encrypted video on social networking sites using slangs.
Union Government deployed Central Para Military forces and ordered its Central Investigation
department to take necessary action and also dismissed the elected Government of Pan-Goa on
the ground of failure to maintain Law and order.
5. The Union Government firmly believes that security of the nation is ground of formation of
the Union and the representative of all the princely states agreed thereto. Moreover, the cultural
diversity cannot be ground to ignore security of nation. Union Government submits that policy of
Pan- Goa government led to creation of bad name and this province is today known as center for
sex tourism which as a party to CEDAW the Union Government is committed to check. Further
we have an obligation to prevent any conduct which is threat to global peace and security. We
have committed to UN General Assembly to take necessary steps to tackle incidents of terrorism.
is valid or not?
It is humbly submitted that the dismissal of the state government of Pan-Goa by the Union
government is constitutionally valid. The dismissal of the state government of Pan-Goa is not
guided by the evil characteristics of party-politics. The dismissal of the elected government of
Pan-Goa is not the dismissal of the peoples will of the state.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 10
The installation of the CCTVs at public places is constitutionally valid because it is related to the
public security and therefore the Union has a genuine reason to conduct surveillance. . If you
have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. When youre in a public space, youre in
the eye of the public. So whats the difference in being watched by a closed circuit TV camera?
Even if you were caught picking your nose the police arent going to arrest you for that and no
surveillance officer is going put it on national television. Yes, a video surveillance camera in
public places is good. Helps in crime-prevention and works as deterrence. Post crime
investigation is easy and catching culprits is easy for law-enforcement officers. The police can
identify criminals recorded with cameras. Through surveillance cameras, the police can both
prevent crimes from happening and can quickly solve criminal cases with material evidence. In
addition, surveillance cameras protect against property theft, and vandalism also.
Records of NCRB 2014 shows that these kind of social evils invite child-prostitution, but also,
child-pornography. Street children or children from poor families and middle class families fall
prey to foreigners who attract them through the riches of the world and lure them into such
exploitation. Present policy of Pan- Goa government led to creation of bad name and this
province is today known as center for sex tourism. And hence it is a threat to the national image
and high moral character. If the Union Government adopts any policy to address the alarming
issues related to sex tourism and its post health consequences like STDs 1 that policy must be
supported by the state government as well. Sex tourism invites certain types of social threats like
Syndicate Crime2, human trafficking (especially girls), child prostitution and pornography,
bondage labor and organ trading etc 3. And it is the duty of the Union Government to protect its
1 Sexually Transmitted diseases
2 Linked organization of criminals indulged in heinous crimes.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 11
fundamental right of privacy as an emanation from them it could not he absolute. It must be
3 As per the data of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB),2014
4 Article 21,23,24 and 38 of the Constitution.
5 AIR 1963 SC 1295
6 AIR 1963 SC 1295
7 (1975) 2 SCC 148
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 12
The regulation which authorized the states to get the password of encrypted data
are constitutionally valid.
The regulation which authorized the states to get the password of encrypted data are
constitutionally valid and not in violation of Article 20 (3) 10 of the constitution which talks about
prevention against self-incrimination. In M.P. Sharma V. Satish Chandra 11, the apex Court held
and distinguished that to be a witness from furnishing evidence, and interpreted the former
to mean imparting knowledge in respect of relevant facts by an oral statement or statement in
writing made or given in court or otherwise. The latter included production of documents or
giving materials which might be relevant at a trial to determine the guilt or innocence of the
accused. Thus, self-incrimination in context of Article 20(3)12 only means conveying information
based upon personal knowledge of the person giving information. But where an accused is
compelled to produce a document in his possession which is not based on the personal
knowledge of the accused, in such a case there is no violation of Article 20(3). Here, in this case,
compulsion to provide password is not synonymous to convey self-incriminating material but it
is only the mechanical way to furnish evidence which is not violative of Article 20 (3). S.27 of
the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, provides that during investigation when the discovery of
evidence by the police is led by some fact that was disclosed by the accused then so much of the
8 AIR 1981 SC 760
9 The Constitution of India
10 Ibid.
11 AIR 1954 SC 300
12 The Constitution Of India
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 13
The respondent submits the Court can entertain this case only if there is a violation of
Fundamental Rights and can step in under the Jurisdiction of Article 32 15. The petitioner is
raising a mere scholarly objection, without any locus standi. In the present case, there has
been no violation of the fundamental rights since, the action taken by the Union was in
furtherance of the performance of duties and its obligation to protect the people of Pan-Goa
from all kinds of threats of physical and psychological dangers and thus cannot be termed as
arbitrary or as one which was without the application of the mind.
No one has been displaced, there has been no forceful act and nothing has been done to the
hamper the freedom of society. Hence when there is no damnus, the Petitioner cannot seek a
remedy. Moreover, the Union Government has every power to hear matters concerning the
maintenance of law and order and take appropriate actions in that regard which forms the
core of the various powers provided to the Union Government by the Constitution 16 and here
13 Article 32(1) when r/w 32(2) itself states that, Article 32 can only be invoked for
enforcement of rights as guaranteed by Part III and, for issuing writs to enforce
Rights as guaranteed under Part III
14 Andhra Industrial Works v.. Chief Controller of Imports and Ors, AIR 1974 SC
1539 10, Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee v. CK Rajan and Ors. (2003)
7 SCC 546 50, BALCO Employees Union (Regd.) v. Union of India (2002) 2 SCC 333
15 Romesh Thapar v Union of India, AIR 1950 SC 124
16 Article 355 of the Constitution of India
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 15
The respondent submits the Court that the accused had damage to Public Property and Public
Property is defined under sub clause (b) of section 217 which states that Public property shall
mean and include all public property movable, immovable or machinery in control and
possession of Central and State Government, local authority, company, corporation and
institution. Section 3 of the act divides punishment with respect to causing mischief with public
property in to two parts. The first part specifically relates to commission of mischief with respect
to any public property the punishment shall extend to five years and fine. Part two of the section
specifically provides for punishment for commission of mischief with respect to any building
concerned with production, distribution or supply of water, electricity, power or energy; oil
refineries or any other oil installations; sewage plants; factory and mines; public transportation;
telecommunications or any building or installation in connection to aforementioned shall be
punished with rigorous imprisonment of not less than six months extending to five years and
with fine. In case of S.Sudin vs The Union Of India and Ors.18, The writ petition arise from a
series of petitions of similar nature pertaining to damage caused to public property during strikes
and bands. The Court issued writ of mandamus directing the respondents to compensate persons
who suffered losses since the government failed to protect life and peaceful environment of
society. It was also held that holding of harthal or bundh is an act of criminal intimidation which
affect public order and security of the nation and is punishable under section 503 of Indian Penal
Code. Here it is mentioned in the facts of the case of that in the state of Pan-Goa, the similar
condition was about to arose as the State government was not only unable to take a preventive
step, but also, it was a party in the dismantling of law and order in state and hence, the Union
17 Prevention of Damage to Public Property,1948
18 WP(C). NO. 32529 OF 2007
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RESPONDENTPage 16
Article 35521 of the Constitution provides that It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every
State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of
every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.22
It is very clear from the facts of the case that the state government of Pan-Goa was not able and
efficient enough to tackle the problem which had suddenly aroused. It therefore becomes the
duty of the Union Government to ensure peace and stability in the state. As per the Sarkaria
Commission23 the failure of Constitutional machinery can be examined under the four heads,
namely:
(a) Political crisis,
(b) Internal subversion
(c) Physical breakdown and
(d) Non-compliance with Constitutional directions of the Union Executive.
In case of Pan-Goa it was the duty of the state government to maintain Law and Order but, as the
facts, itself prove that the state government was not working properly. Also, it was only due to
the state government, that situations as such arise at the first place. In SR Bommai case 24 it was
held that Article 356 shall be used as a last resort. Here, in this case we have seen that the state
government of Pan-Goa itself was a part of the whole disorder caused. Hence, it was necessary to
dismiss the state government of Pan-Goa to ensure that the systematic Law and order is
maintained in the state.
II.
The dismissal of the state government of Pan-Goa is not guided by the evil
characteristics of party-politics.
The dismissal of the elected government of Pan-Goa is not the dismissal of the
peoples will of the state.
The dismissal of the elected government of Pan-Goa is not the dismissal of the peoples will of
the state because the state government cannot take the plea of democratic values to hide its
inability and incompetency to maintain Law and Order in the state. Ensuring a peaceful and
stable environment for its citizens is as much necessary for the state as to ensure the democratic
values. Mere dismissal of an incapable and incompetent state government can never be seen as
the dismissal of peoples will, rather it shall be seen as a concerned step of the Union government
towards the people of Pan-Goa.
AND/OR
Pass any other order that it deems fit in the interest of Justice, Equity and Good Conscience.
And for this, the Respondents as in duty bound, shall humbly pray.
Place:
Date: