New Delhi, February 26
In the wake of a raging controversy over tapping of phones, the Centre has decided to examine and amend the law to check unauthorised interception of telephonic conversation in the changed technological and security scenario. In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in response to Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh’s petition, it said as a long-term measure it has decided to examine provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 in view of the changes in the technology and increasing role of a large body of service providers, including those in the private sector, and carry out the necessary amendments.
Mr Amar Singh’s petition is to come up for hearing tomorrow before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal which had earlier issued notices to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Government and Delhi Police on Mr Amar Singh’s plea for judicial inquiry into the entire episode of phone tapping.
He has also sought court’s intervention in restraining the TV channels from airing CDs of Mr Amar Singh’s purported conversation with some politicians, industrialists and film actresses.
The Samajwadi Party General Secretary alleged that telephones of rival politicians were being tapped illegally in connivance with private telecom operators.
The affidavit sworn by Home Ministry Deputy Secretary J.P.S. Verma was, however, silent on the allegations levelled by Mr Amar Singh in his petition.
— PTI
