The allegations have raised concerns about the potential misuse of official information systems and the responsibilities of public servants to protect personal data
An Australian public servant of Indian origin has been denied bail in Canberra after being accused of stalking a woman he met through a dating application and threatening to use government databases to obtain personal information about her and her family.
Suyash Sinha, 31, was arrested on Tuesday following a police search of his home. He appeared before the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Magistrates Court on 14 October, where Special Magistrate Lucinda Wilson refused his bail application, citing concerns about the complainant’s safety and well-being.
According to reports by ABC News and local news outlet Region Canberra, Sinha allegedly contacted the woman after meeting her through a dating app in January. Despite her repeatedly rejecting his advances, he allegedly continued to message her.
The matter draws attention to concerns about personal safety, online harassment and the potential misuse of access to sensitive government information
In August, he allegedly sent her a message describing what she was wearing while shopping at a supermarket in Canberra, making her fear that she was being followed.
The woman subsequently agreed to meet him at a pub to ask him to stop contacting her. During the meeting, Sinha allegedly said he worked in finance for the ACT government and identified one of her siblings, whom she had not mentioned to him. He reportedly suggested that anyone could be traced through government systems.
The woman later received multiple social media friend requests from accounts with intimidating usernames. She approached the police in September and was advised to deactivate her social media accounts.
Prosecutors opposed Sinha’s release on bail, arguing that he had become fixated on the woman and could pose a risk to her safety or interfere with evidence and witnesses. The court also heard that the woman was deeply distressed by the alleged behaviour.
Sinha’s lawyer argued that her client had no previous criminal record and had financial responsibilities towards family members in India and his brother in Canberra. The defence also disputed aspects of the allegations.
However, Magistrate Wilson concluded that the risk to the complainant’s safety and well-being was too great to permit his release.
Sinha remains in custody, and the case has been adjourned until 4 November. The allegations have not been established in court, and the case remains before the judicial system.
