Title: Regarding alledged tapping of telephones of DMK leaders by Tamil Nadu Police.
SHRI C. KUPPUSAMI (MADRAS NORTH): Sir, we, the DMK, strongly condemn the violation of basic rights by the Government of Tamil Nadu through police officials. A high level police official of Tamil Nadu said yesterday to the press-persons that the Government of Tamil Nadu is tapping all the telephone conversations of all DMK frontline leaders including former DMK ministers. This news item has appeared yesterday in Malaimalar, a Tamil daily. The telephone tapping, as this august House knows, is a clear violation of fundamental rights. That too, it is being done by the police officials who have to safeguard the fundamental rights of the Indian citizens.
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, you have asked him to associate with the issue of Neyveli Lignite Corporation. But, he is raising the telephone tapping issue alleging that it is being done by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Suddenly he is bringing up this issue.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Ponnuswamy associated himself only with the Neiveli issue and not with any other subject.
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : No, Sir. Shri Kuppusami is talking about telephone tapping.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: I was talking about Shri Ponnuswamy. Shri Kuppusami has given notice about the alleged tapping of telephone of DMK leaders in Tamil Nadu.… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : They have accumulation of wealth amounting to thousands of crores. He is talking about telephone tapping. … (Interruptions) They cannot level allegations like this. The leader of DMK did not say anything like that till this time. … (Interruptions)
SHRI C. KUPPUSAMI : This is nothing but witch-hunting. If this type of fascism is allowed to have its nefarious designs, this menace would become a scourge on our democracy. The Chief General Manager of BSNL and other cellophane operators should not be a party to these illegal actions. … (Interruptions) We, the DMK urge upon the Government of India to take immediate necessary action to stop this violation of fundamental rights taking place, to save democracy and safeguard fundamental rights. .. (Interruptions.)
We demand the Government to give complete details of how many politicians and leaders telephones have been tapped, immediately.(Interruptions.)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, he cannot suddenly raise an issue like this.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He has given the notice.
SHRI T.R. BAALU: Sir, Shri Kuppusami has raised a relevant point pertaining to a newspaper report which has appeared in Malaimalar yesterday. It is regarding the telephone tapping. A particular officer or somebody must have permitted it. Even the Tamil Nadu police officers themselves have come on record. … (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : I can also give a newspaper report. You cannot show a newspaper report and suddenly spring up like this.… (Interruptions) This is as a result of the raids conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu last week in the premises of four erstwhile Ministers for having accumulated wealth to the tune of Rs.1450 crore…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Pandian, he has given notice. He has not given any such thing at all.… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, telephone tapping is a serious thing. … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA): Can you deny it? … (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : I can deny it.… (Interruptions) Even I can plant a news item. It is very easy to plant a news item. Sir, what he is saying is not proper…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: If there is anything detrimental or objectionable, I will expunge it.… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : If it is to be expunged, then it is all right…… (Interruptions) Do not depend on Malai Malar. I can also plant a news item…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: `Zero Hour’ is over.… (Interruptions)
SHRI A. RAJA: Sir, is not a Member entitled to express his anguish over telephone tapping? ..… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He has given notice to speak in `Zero Hour’. If anything objectionable has been raised in the matter which he raised, I will look into it.
Now item No.16, Shri Arun Jaitley.… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: If there is anything objectionable, I will expunge it. … (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, kindly expunge the portion regarding telephone tapping. Within one minute, I can plant a news item. After all, it is an evening daily and they are depending on it…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Whether it is morning or evening daily, we are not taking it into account on record. If there is any kind of an objectionable thing in which he has given notice, within the purview of the procedure in `Zero Hour’, I will look into it and expunge it.… (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN : Sir, I have the right to reply. Allow me to reply. He has levied a charge against the State Government. I have to reply…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Why do you want to reply now? … (Interruptions)
SHRI P.H. PANDIAN (TIRUNELVELI): Sir, they have looted the State Treasury and now, they have been charged by the DVAC. Raids have been conducted by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. So many documents are being examined by the Police. To prevent them from further investigating them, they are levelling this charge… (Interruptions) One former Minister has accumulated Rs.1450 crore worth of wealth..… (Interruptions) They have looted the State and are facing corruption charges…… (Interruptions)
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Nothing will go on record.