BJP seeks clarification from UPA govt on phone tapping

Kolkata, Feb 15 (PTI) Bharitya Janata Party on Tuesday
sought a clarification from the United Progressive Allaince
government at the Centre on alleged tapping of over one lakh
telephones across the country, describing it as a "cause of
grave concern".
Stating that this amounted to misuse of power, India'
opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said "The
government has to confirm that tapping is being done on
consideration of security and also state how many phones are
being tapped".
"Today on the basis of a case in the Supreme Court, media
reports said that one lakh phones are being tapped in the
country", he told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting
of National office-bearers of the party.
"It is a cause of grave concern...the country's law
states that tapping can be done in extreme cases like
security considerations or in case of a serious crime",
Jaitley said.
Claiming that the alleged number of tapped phones was
higher than even in police states, Jaitley sought an
authoritative clarification from the central government on the
issue.
"The figure is so large that it is frightening and phones
are tapped simultaneously by the Centre and the states.
We would like to know the exact number of phones being tapped
and the ground on which they are being tapped", he said.
Pointing out that misuse of power was taking place ,
Jaitley said "for consequences of what is being done, it is
important that the government comes out with a clarification".
BJP leader L K Advani, party president Nitin Gadkari,
Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Chattishgarh chief
minister Raman Singh and Jaitley are here for attending the
meet.