Government hints at examining telephone tapping allegations

NEW DELHI - The UPA Government has indirectly said that it could examine allegations of telephone tapping of political leaders said to be involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cash row controversy.

The Prime Minster’s Office is reportedly examining the issue carefully.

On Saturday, a prominent daily had claimed that phones of some political leaders, including Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Prakash Karat have been tapped.

The opposition criticized the government for resorting to snooping on leaders.

Karat described tapping as illegal and intolerable.

“The UPA Government is resorting to the tapping of phones of political leaders which is illegal and intolerable. The government has to own up responsibility and take action against those responsible,” Karat said.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S S Ahluwalia said his party would raise the issue in Parliament on Monday.

He contended this was a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which assures protection of life and liberty to every citizen. (ANI)