“Something Fishy”: Supreme Court Blasts Registry Over Year-Long Delay In Data Privacy PIL

NEW DELHI — In a sharp reprimand of its own administrative machinery, the Supreme Court of India on Monday, March 23, 2026, questioned the registry over a suspicious one-year delay in listing a critical Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding consumer data privacy.

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, expressed deep dissatisfaction after noting that the case, which concerns the unauthorized collection and storage of sensitive financial data by foreign credit companies, had not been heard since February 2025.

1. The Court’s Reprimand

The bench made its displeasure clear, with CJI Surya Kant remarking, “Something so fishy is going on in this court.”

The court has directed the Registrar (Judicial) to file a formal report explaining why the matter was not listed for hearing since February 2025, despite a specific judicial order issued in March of last year to expedite the process. The case has now been scheduled for its next hearing on April 10, 2026.

2. The Core Allegations: Data Sovereignty and Privacy

The PIL, filed by petitioner Surya Prakash, addresses growing concerns over digital financial security and data localization:

• Unauthorized Collection: The petition accuses four foreign companies of collecting and processing confidential consumer financial data without obtaining explicit consent.
• Violation of Law: The petitioner argues that these actions violate the Credit Information Companies Regulation Act, 2005.
• Data Localization Breach: A central issue is the allegation that foreign firms are storing sensitive data on servers located outside India, circumventing data localization principles and leaving Indian consumers’ financial information vulnerable and beyond the reach of local regulation.

3. Government Response and Next Steps

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs has already filed a response to the petition, which has been pending since 2024. He emphasized that the complexity of the digital data landscape requires an elaborate and thorough hearing.

Senior advocate K. Parmeshwar, acting as amicus curiae, presented a detailed note summarizing the government’s stance. The court has granted the government two weeks to review the note and file any additional responses, ensuring that the April 10 hearing can proceed with a clear roadmap.

Case Summary: Data Privacy Litigation