SUPERINTENDENT & REMEMBRANCER OF LEGAL AFFAIRS, WEST BENGAL vs SATYEN BHOWMICK AND ORS.

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 14 of the Official Secrets Act, affirming that it provides courts with the authority to exclude the public from proceedings if evidence disclosure could harm national security. The Court held that this section does not override existing procedural laws, such as the Code of Criminal Procedure, and that the inherent powers of the court to conduct in-camera proceedings remain intact. The Court ruled that the defense lawyers' claim of privilege under Section 126 of the Evidence Act was not valid in this context, allowing for the inspection of notes taken during the proceedings.