Delhi Police Chief Writes To Kejriwal Seeking Details Of Tapping Of Judges’ Phones

With his remarks on alleged tapping of judges’ phones, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has apparently dragged himself into a tight spot.  A letter, purportedly written by Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma to the CM, seeks details of the phone tapping and also urged him to reveal the sources considering the enormity of the claims.

Amidst reports of the letter, the CM has, however, tweeted his reply in an intriguing one liner, ‘Ask IB (Intelligence Bureau), they will tell you.’

The police authorities have, however, not confirmed the authenticity of the letter doing rounds of the social media. A police source said, “It might be a confidential letter and not many people might be aware about it.”

Speaking on the occasion commemorating 50 years of Delhi High Court, Kejriwal had said that he was told by some judges that the telephones of Supreme Court, high courts and district courts were being tapped.

The Police Commissioner expressed serious concerns over the allegations raised and sought details on the matter. He said: “During a function to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Delhi High Court, you have reportedly alleged that the phones of judges are being tapped. In fact, there are media reports to indicate that you have “heard” some judges saying so.”

He further wrote, “As you are aware, phone tapping is an extremely serious matter and is not allowed without due authorisation after following strict procedures mandated under law. Therefore, your alluding to the matter raises serious concerns”.

“Under the circumstances, please let us know of any incident or case of phone tapping that you have referred to in the course of your speech. We would also appreciate if you could inform us the source on which you base your allegations so that appropriate action can be initiated in the matter,” the Police Commissioner added.

Speaking on the occasion held on 31^st Oct, Delhi CM had said: “I heard that judges' phones are being tapped and they are afraid to talk. This is wrong and must not be allowed”. Though he did not affirm the accuracy of the statement, he stated that “But if it is true, this is very dangerous. Where is the independence of the judiciary then?”

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who was also present, retorted and rubbished the CM’s claims, saying: “I wish to deny with all the authority at my command that the phones of judges have been tapped in India at all.”

“I have been the Communications Minister for two years and I completely deny that phones of judges are tapped at all,” he added.