Vigilance department to probe phone tapping: HP CM

[1]

The alleged phone tapping of about 1,200 persons during the previous BJP regime will be probed by the state vigilance department and the names of those under surveillance made public, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh said today.

“It is a very serious matter and the government will take stringent action against the officials involved in illegal phone tapping infringing the right to privacy of individuals and violating the Indian Telegraph Act,” Singh told reporters at Raj Bhawan here.

A committee, formed by the state government, had found that over 1,000 telephones of politicians, bureaucrats and journalists were tapped during previous Prem Kumar Dhumal-led the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh.

The alleged phone tapping by CID, Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau will be thoroughly probed, he said. Referring to the matter regarding cancellation of land lease of Patajnali Yogapeeth of yoga teacher Ramdev, Singh said, “We will fight it out in the court.”

When asked about the land given by the previous government to Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) headed by BJP MP, Anurag Thakur, the chief minister said that it was an administrative matter and necessary information and facts are being gathered. Chief secretary S. Roy later said efforts will be made complete the probe in three months. On basis of the report, an FIR will be registered against officials who were found guilty, Roy said. He said additional chief secretary, Deepak Shanan has been asked to give the facts about the grant of lease for land to HPCA at Dharamsala.