Rajasthan Minister Denies Phone Tapping of Kirori Lal Meena
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Synopsis
On February 20, Rajasthan’s Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham denied any phone tapping of Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena, who has publicly refuted such claims. The minister outlined the legal framework for phone interception, asserting strict adherence to regulations.
Key Takeaways
- Jawahar Singh Bedham denies phone tapping allegations.
- Kirodi Lal Meena has refuted the claims publicly.
- Phone interceptions are regulated under the Telecommunications Act.
- Only authorized police can initiate interception requests.
- A review committee ensures accountability for interception orders.
Jaipur, Feb 20 (NationPress) Rajasthan's Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham stated in the Assembly that the state government has not conducted any interception of Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena's phone, while Meena himself has publicly refuted these allegations.
“There has been no phone tapping. Kirodi Lal Meena’s phone has also not been tapped. No individual’s phone was tapped in the state,” the minister asserted during his address, responding to the claims made by Minister Kirodi Lal Meena.
Providing clarity on the legal framework, the minister remarked that phone interceptions are only authorized for significant purposes such as state security, maintaining public order, and preventing crime under the Telecommunications Act.
“The current state government strictly complies with these regulations,” he further stated.
Bedham disclosed that the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department is the designated authority for approving any phone interception within the state.
“Such requests can only be initiated based on proposals from authorized police officers and must fulfill stringent criteria prior to approval. To ensure accountability, a review committee has been established, chaired by the Chief Secretary. This committee also includes the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and the Principal Secretary (Law and Legal Affairs). According to regulations, this committee is mandated to convene every two months to review interception orders,” the minister elaborated.
However, the minister's remarks ignited a commotion in the Assembly, causing the opposition to walk out of the session.
Rajasthan's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully questioned the Home Minister regarding the government's action in light of Kirodi Lal Meena's phone-tapping allegations.
“If the phones were not tapped, what repercussions will be faced by Kirodi Lal Meena for his claims? Why does the government not accept his resignation?” the LoP inquired.
As the debate escalated within the Assembly, Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma displayed a poster inside the House, provoking further outrage. Jully strongly criticized this act and questioned its legality.
Nonetheless, after a brief uproar, normal proceedings resumed in the Assembly.
LoP Tika Ram Jully remarked that had the state Home Minister clarified the matter earlier, it could have been resolved.
Previously, Congress had warned of disrupting Assembly proceedings unless the government addressed the phone-tapping allegations.
Before the budget session, the Speaker called for an all-party meeting, where it was decided that the government would respond on February 20 during the zero-hour.
Following negotiations, Congress permitted the budget speech to continue without interruptions. However, despite numerous statements by the state Home Minister outside the Assembly, no formal response was provided in the House until Thursday, prompting Congress to protest.
Earlier, Kirodi Lal Meena received a notice from BJP state chief Madan Rathore concerning the phone-tapping allegations.
On February 12, Kirodi had also sent a reply on this matter to the party chief.
“I made a mistake and acknowledged it in my reply to the notice. I won’t divulge the content of my reply. I hold no resentment towards the party,” Meena informed media representatives.
