Phone-tapping: Centre backs Telangana in HC

Hyderabad, July 31: Additional Solicitor General Natarajan told the Hyderabad High Court that Telangana government can tap phones as per Indian Telegraphic Act. Arguing on behalf of the Union government in Hyderabad High Court in phone-tapping case, Natarajan said that Telangana sought permission of Centre before intercepting phones and added that the entire communication regarding phone-tapping was privileged and could not be disclosed even before court of law. Natarajan maintained that interception was legal, obtained mandatory permissions and court could not call for records. Telangana Advocate General Ramakrishna Reddy argued that the government can move to High Court as Vijayawada Metropolitan Court passed orders without giving them an opportunity to argue before it.