MHA maintains distance

The Home Ministry on Saturday stayed at an arm’s distance from the controversy over Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch’s proposed purchase of high-end surveillance devices that triggered fears of its misuse by the Aam Aadmi Party government.

“I would not like to comment on the issue at this moment,” minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju told HT.

“If any proposal comes to us, we will deal with it under the prescribed law,” he added.

The home ministry’s cautious approach came in the backdrop of its tussle with the Arvind Kejriwal - government over control of the ACB that reached the Supreme Court and high court this week.

On Friday, a note drafted for the Kejriwal cabinet emerged that sought funding to the tune of ` 36 crore to upgrade the capabilities of the anti-graft agency.

Of this, ` 3.2 crore was proposed for high- end research analysis, surveillance and monitoring purpose that prompted the BJP and Congress leaders to cry hoarse, worried that the government the snooping gear would be used to target them. The Delhi government has contested the existence of the note.

Under the law, only nine designated central agencies including the intelligence bureau and the state police forces are empowered to intercept phone communications after getting permission from the union home secretary, or the state’s home secretary.

In emergencies, an InspectorGeneral rank officer can also authorise the intercept but the home secretary has to be informed about the order within three days and his approval taken. All orders by the home secretary have to be reviewed by a panel of officers headed by the cabinet secretary at the centre, and the chief secretary at the state-level.

A home ministry official indicated it was near impossible for any government to buy off-the-air phone surveillance equipment - that can eavesdrop on any mobile call made or received within a a particular radius — since its use had been banned by the Supreme Court. In 2010, the UPA government