Centre to SC: Phone tapping guidelines implemented

New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) The Union government today informed the Supreme Court that the guidelines and rules to check invasion on privacy of citizens through illegal phone tapping have been prepared and are being enforced.

Solicitor General G E Vahanvati also undertook to place on record the guidelines and rules for the perusal of the apex court .

The bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker directed the government to file the guidelines within 8 weeks and adjourned the hearing of the petition filed by Samajwadi Leader Amar Singh seeking action against those who illegally tapped his phones.

Earlier Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Centre for Public Interest Litigation, seeking intervention in the matter, contended that conversations tapped by the government revealed that Amar Singh was involved in striking shady deals with industrial houses and public servants for illegal gratification and such scandalous deals deserved to be investigated.

Bhushan also contended that the means of exposure even if illegal can not be fatal to the investigation if the allegations have substance.

The court, however, refused to allow the intervention application and told the applicant that he should file a separate and substantive petition in the matter.

The applicant also produced English translation of the conversation between Amar Singh who is the chairman of the UP Land Revenue Board showing shady deals.

The apex court shall lay down certain guidelines to check interception of telephonic conversation which violate the right to privacy of a citizen after considering the guidelines prepared by the government.

Senior counsel Soli Sorabjee told the court that Reliance Infocomm has already implemented the government guidelines.

UNI