Phone-tapping: HC Summons 16 People

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has taken a key decision on the burning topic of ‘phone-tapping by the YCP government’ .

Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu and YCP rebel MP Raghurama Krishnam Raju levelled allegations that phones of opposition leaders, journos and judges were being tapped by the government authorities.

The HC served notices to 16 people in connection with the case and asked them to reply within four weeks time. The court also said that notices would be served to the CBI, Reliance, Jio, Vodafone, Airtel, BSNL, Internet Service Providers Association president.

The court directed all those who were served notices to appear in person or through an advocate. The High Court took up the issue following a PIL filed seeking investigation into the allegations that the phones of the judges were put under surveillance by the accused.

The petitioner, advocate Nakka Nimmigrace belonging to Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam district, alleged that the accused tried to tarnish the image of the judiciary at the behest of the politicians in higher positions.

He appealed to the court to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) and look into the functioning of the AP Government Chief Secretary, Home Department principal secretary and the DGP in connection with the phone-tapping, tracking and monitoring on the HC judges. The petitioner also appealed to the court to hold all the officials who had violated the law responsible and order for a comprehensive probe into the entire issue.