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Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008
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Retired judge to probe phone tapping

Special Correspondent

“Nothing objectionable in conversation”
AIADMK, MDMK members stage walkout

CHENNAI: A retired High Court judge will conduct an inquiry into the report of phone tapping involving a conversation between the Chief Secretary and an Additional Director-General of Police, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi informed the Assembly on Tuesday. The findings would be placed before the Assembly.

Announcing this even as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members were shouting slogans in the House, Mr. Karunanidhi said that at a time when technology was progressing at such a rapid pace, anyone could tap another’s phone. The question was how a conversation between the Chief Secretary and an official found its way to the media.

On the contents of the conversation, he said that assuming the transcripts published in a newspaper were true, nothing objectionable was spoken. Nothing was spoken against the law or against the national interest. They were also not discussing anything with the ulterior motive of suppressing the Opposition parties by foisting cases on them.

Even as Mr. Karunanidhi began to speak, AIADMK members shouted slogans, despite Speaker Avudaiappan repeatedly asking them to resume their seats. The Speaker initially ordered the marshal to evict them, but later rescinded the order. But the AIADMK staged a walkout and continued to shout slogans for a while in the lobby.

Members suspended

Later, Mr. Avudaiappan suspended AIADMK members P. Hari and V.P. Kalairajan for the rest of the session, for approaching the front benches and shouting menacingly.

The members of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a second walkout for the day, protesting against the expulsion of the two members. Earlier it had walked out protesting against the tapping of phones.

Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K. Mani said that when he raised the issue on an earlier occasion, Mr. Karunanidhi had assured him that the government did not listen in on conversations of politicians. Mr. Mani said he was convinced with the explanation, but now a transcript had found its way to the media. A committee of three sitting judges should enquire into the issue, he demanded.

Congress leader D. Sudarssanam said that tapping of phones was inevitable in many circumstances since there were issues relating to national security. Intelligence agencies could not be expected to know every problem unless they are empowered to tap phones in a limited manner.

Congress Whip S. Peter Alphonse said that many private detective firms and multinationals had the technology to listen in to further their own ends or that of their clients. The government should also consider this angle.

M. Kannappan (MDMK) contended that the incident constituted a major lapse on the part of the government.

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