Holding phone tapping as a violation of the fundamental right to privacy, the Madras High Court on Wednesday made it clear that the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 permits it only for instances of public emergency safety or public safety and not for normal criminal investigation.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has "questioned the intent" of his successor Bhajan Lal Sharma for keeping the myth of phone tapping alive, even after Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena levelled similar charges against him.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday sought a statement from the state government on Agriculture Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena's allegation of phone tapping.
The issue of alleged tapping of Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena's phone disrupted proceedings in the state assembly on Friday with the agitated opposition trooping into the well, reciting "Ram Dhuni" to press upon the Chief Minister's resignation.
CPI-M–backed independent MLA P V Anvar had earlier alleged that ADGP Ajith Kumar breached public trust by tapping the phone calls of several individuals, including ministers and journalists.
Lokesh Sharma said that when Pilot took 18 MLAs to Manesar, his phones were put on surveillance.
He even challenged the state government saying that Pegasus spyware was unable to breach Facetime and Telegram calls.
BJP leaders of Munugode also have complained to the Election Commission of India that the ruling TRS was allegedly invading their privacy by probing bank transactions and resorting.
“It is shocking to see her levelling one after other false allegations against me. She has alleged that Raj Bhavan is tapping phones. I challenge her to immediately substantiate her claims by making evidence public.”
Naidu also accused Jaganmohan Reddy of perpetrating a 'jungle raj' on all sections of people in the state.
