BJP seeks clarification on phone tapping

BJP on Tuesday sought a clarification from the UPA government at the Centre on alleged tapping of over one lakh telephones across the country, describing it as a "cause of grave concern".

Stating that this amounted to misuse of power, opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said "The government has to confirm that tapping is being done on consideration of security and also state how many phones are being tapped".

"Today on the basis of a case in the Supreme Court, media reports said that one lakh phones are being tapped in the country", he told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting of National office-bearers of the party.

"It is a cause of grave concern...the country's law states that tapping can be done in extreme cases like security considerations or in case of a serious crime", Jaitley said.