Govt. should discuss Gadkari bugging issue in Parl: Tewari

Commenting on bugs being found from the house of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said that the government has to make people aware of the legal provisions which safeguard one's privacy from government's intrusion.

"Well, it is not relevant whether a minister in question was bugged or not. But the main point here is that every citizen has the right to live his life with utmost privacy and this has been assured under Article 21 of the Constitution," Tewari told ANI.

"The government has a responsibility to explain the nation about the legal architecture available whereby a citizen can feel safe and secure that the government will not unnecessarily and unlawfully intrude into his personal life," Tewari added.

He further asserted that the government must consider this case as a notice and should hold a discussion on it in the Parliament.

On Sunday, former prime minister Manmohan Singh raised concerns on the issue and called for an investigation in it.

"If ministers' houses are bugged, then it is not a good omen. It should be investigated. How can it happen? It should be explained by the government in the House," Dr. Singh reportedly said at Congress president Sonia Gandhi's iftar party.

Meanwhile, Gadkari downplayed the incident and tweeted, "Reports in a section of the media about listening devices having been found at my New Delhi residence are highly speculative."

Reportedly, listening devices were recovered on Sunday from Gadkari's residence.