NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo seeks probe into FSSAI document leak, role of accused
New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Saturday said the Delhi Police must thoroughly investigate the leakage of sensitive official documents from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), including how a confidential internal inquiry report reached an individual against whom allegations of misconduct had reportedly been substantiated.
In a post on X on the alleged data breach at FSSAI, Kanoongo noted that the same individual had also filed a complaint with the Delhi Police. “We are keeping a close watch on the matter. Justice will prevail,” he said.
Delhi Police has already registered an FIR following a complaint by an authorised FSSAI representative on March 12, 2026, at the I.P. Estate police station. The case pertains to unauthorised access, leakage, and circulation of official documents — some allegedly edited or misleading — on social media.
The FIR has been registered under Section 316 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal breach of trust and Section 72 of the Information Technology Act.
Investigations are under way to identify those responsible for the breach and the subsequent dissemination of the documents. Police have also issued notices seeking account details from social media platforms and are working to preserve digital evidence.
The leak has triggered concerns over possible internal collusion and attempts to damage the reputation of FSSAI, India’s apex food regulator. Some reports suggest a coordinated effort involving social media influencers and others to create distrust in the organisation.
Kanoongo’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the incident. He emphasised that the police must examine not just the leak itself but also the lapse that allowed confidential inquiry reports to reach a person facing allegations.
The NHRC member’s statement signals that the human rights body is closely monitoring the investigation to ensure transparency and accountability in handling the sensitive matter.
The alleged FSSAI data breach has raised broader questions about the security of official documents in government regulatory bodies and the need for stricter safeguards against internal leaks and external misuse.