Bhopal, Mar 10 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Police's Intelligence branch has described allegations of phone tapping of political leaders, officers and journalists as baseless and unsubstantiated.

Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) S K Raut said phone tapping could be done under the Indian Telegraphic Act, 1885, in cases of national security and organised crime by obtaining permission from officials concerned only.

He said permission from the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the Home Secretary was necessary for phone tapping, while the Centre provided instruments for the purpose. Besides, phone tapping was not possible without cooperation from the telecom service provider concerned.

Mr Raut said as the instruments came under the Official Secrets Act, more information could not be provided even under the Right to Information Act.

The ADGP said the list of political leaders, officers and journalists, who claimed to be victims of phone tapping, has not been received. However, he could assure that the list did not belong to the Intelligence department.

He said police will try to obtain information regarding the origin and the motive of the list.

On whether the case reeked of a conspiracy, Mr Raut said misunderstandings could happen in many cases.

UNI PKJ-PS PA KN2116