SHIV KUMAR Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These matters have been heard through video conferencing because of COVID-19 pandemic.

(2.) Heard Dr. K.N. Singh, learned Additional Solicitor General of India assisted by Sri Manoj Kumar Singh, learned C.G.C., for the Union of India, Sri Arvind Datar, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Pavit Singh Katoch, Mr. Aasish Somasi, learned Advocates, for respondent no.9-WhatsApp, LLC, Sri Gauhar Mirza and Sri Tejas Karia, learned Advocates for the respondent No.5-Instagram LLC, Sri Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Ajit Warrier, Mr. Varun Pathak, Smt. Ekta Sharma and Smt. Sheniza Farid, learned Advocates for respondent no.11-Meta Platforms, Inc., Sri P.N. Shahi, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Apurv Harsh, Sri Sujit Kumar and Sri Prashant Bhardwaj, learned Advocates for the State Bank of India, Sri Amit Shrivastava, learned Senior Advocate, assisted by Sri Girish Pandey, Smt. Mamta Rani, Smt. Shrruttima Ehersa, Sri Rohan Ahuja, Sri Vatsalya Vishal and Smt. Riya Gupta, learned Advocates, for the respondent nos. 8 and 12, Youtube LLC and Google LLC., Sri Kaushal Kumar Jha, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Sri Amit Prakash, learned Advocate for the Reserve Bank of India (for short "R.B.I.), Sri Ajay, G.A.-5 assisted by Sri Shailendra Kumar, Sri Binod Kumar, Sri Tarkeshwar Nath Thakur, learned APPs for the State along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarpur, Sri Bhaskar Shankar and Smt. Prakritita Sharma, learned counsel for the Intervenors, Sri S.A. Narayan, learned Senior Advocate with Sri Suresh Prasad Singh, learned Advocate for the Punjab National Bank (for short "P.N.B."), Sri Harendra Prasad Singh, learned Advocate for the B.S.N.L., Sri Shailesh Thakur, Additional Director of Financial Intelligence Unit and Sri Vishwanath Prasad Sinha, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Smt. Soni Srivastava, learned counsel for the Economic Offences Unit (for short "EOU").

(3.) The Superintendents of Police Nawada, Nalanda and Sheikhpura have also joined the proceeding virtually and have been represented by Sri Ajay, G.A.-5.