Phone tapping: More service providers appear before Andhra SIT

Vijayawada, June 23: Representatives of four more telecom service providers on Tuesday appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andhra Pradesh probing the alleged phone-tapping by Telangana government. Responding to the notices issued by the SIT, the officers of three firms appeared before investigation team at Bhavanipuram police station here. Representatives of five companies had appeared before the SIT on Monday, the first day of the investigations. SIT issued notices to 12 service providers, asking them furnished call data of last 90 days. They were also asked to give the list of people whose phones were tapped and the names of those who ordered tapping. The SIT also wanted to know if the permissions were taken from the authorities concerned before phone tapping. Some service providers were reluctant to appear before SIT on the ground that it has no jurisdiction over them. SIT officials, however, conveyed to them that since they are still functioning under Andhra Pradesh circle, it has the jurisdiction.