Data leak case, Rajasthan govt imposes fine of Rs 27 lakh on Vodafone

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government on Monday imposed a fine of Rs 27 lakh on telecom company Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) on a data leak matter.

According to the officials, this was the first case filed and heard under the IT Act 2000. Further, it is for the first time when action has been taken by an adjudicating officer who instructed the telecom player to pay the penalty amount to the victim within the stipulated time otherwise interest will be levied.

As per official sources, In an incident that occurred in 2020, the mobile SIM of a customer was damaged and he applied for a duplicate. However, his SIM was issued to another customer without any verification by the telecom player, and this individual managed to withdraw Rs 68 lakh from the first customer's account as the mobile SIM was connected with his overdraft facility.

The victim, after five days, was able to access his SIM and then came the messages of money withdrawal from his account. He complained about the matter and claimed compensation, under the IT Act, from the company.

Official sources said that a police case was filed on the matter and the accused were traced in Alwar and arrested. However, the customer filed a complaint again under the IT Act, as he was returned only Rs 44 lakh out of the Rs 68 lakh withdrawn.

The matter was heard by the adjudicating officer, Principal Secretary, IT and Communications, Alok Gupta, who, in his order on Monday, imposed a fine of Rs 27.23 lakh on Vodafone.

He ordered the company to give the amount to the aggrieved party within a month. Else, it will have to pay 10 per cent interest per annum, said officials.