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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court, on Friday, quashed two FIRs lodged against IPS Officer Rashmi Shukla, accusing her of unauthorized phone tapping of politicians.

One of the FIRs was filed in Pune, alleging the interception of the phone of Congress state president Nana Patole during the BJP's tenure.

Additionally, a second FIR was filed by the Mumbai Police, accusing Rashmi Shukla of phone tapping involving Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut and Nationalist Congress Party's leader Eknath Khadse.

Rashmi Shukla was booked by the officials under Section 166 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 26 of the Telegram Act.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf informed the bench that the Pune Police had filed a closure report in January 2023. 

Furthermore, he highlighted that the Mumbai Police had not obtained the necessary sanction from the Maharashtra Government, as required under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to prosecute Shukla.

Taking these factors into consideration, the high court deemed it appropriate to quash both the FIRs registered against Shukla.

The high court had previously granted ad interim relief to Shukla in the FIR registered by the Pune Police on March 4 and the one registered by the Mumbai Police on March 11.

Pertinently, Shukla's discharge application is pending before the Mumbai Court and closure report is pending before the Pune Court. 

Case title: Rashmi Shukla vs State of Maharashtra