Marandi alleges phone tapping, seeks SIT probe

Former Jharakhand chief minister Babulal Marandi on Saturday demanded a SIT probe into phone tapping of 3,000 people, including politicians, lawyers, journalists and businessmen allegedly by state government.

A delegation of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) led by Marandi met Governor Droupadi Murmu to apprise her about the development and demanded probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

"Phone calls of over 3,000 people across sections of the society are being tapped by the state government in violation of people's privacy. I suspect even my phone calls are tapped," Marandi told reporters after meeting Governor.

"The sitting judge of the High Court should probe the issue. This is serious issue," he said.

Some local newspapers have also carried news of phone tapping of the officials including of central agencies officials.

A local newspaper had published news about phone tapping of central intelligence agencies officials by the state police.

The report said two Maoists, in touch with central intelligence officials, were forced to surrender before the state police.

According to sources, the phone tapping is also done of the IAS, IPS and other officials. It is being done to tame the officials who do not fall in line with the Jharkhand government.

The sources also revealed that phone calls of some journalists writing against the state government were also tapped by the state government.

As per provisions phone tapping could be done in special cases with permission of the State government.