Raj HC asks explanation for tapping defence lawyer's phone

The order came on a petition filed by Advocate Ajay Kumar Jain who has challenged the state government's authority in putting his phone on observation.

The single bench of bench of Justice Mohammed Rafique has issued show case notices to Principal Secretary, Homes and CEO, Bharti Hexacom Ltd for tapping Jain's phone.

It has been given out in the petition that the phone tapping cannot be done by government except in the interest of public safety or when a public emergency occurred.

"Since none of the two conditions as prescribed under the law occurred, therefore the action of the state government has been challenged," said Abhinav Sharma, Counsel for Jain in the court.

The counsel argued that as Jain has contested several case in various PILs against the government, the authority has intercepted his phone illegally invading his personal liberty.

"In response to an RTI application moved by petitioner, the state government has denied any information on the count that the same is of highly confidential nature and cannot be disclosed," Sharma said.