phone interception New rules: New rules have been issued for phone interception. The government has made it clear in its order that now IG rank officers can issue orders. It says that the head of any official agency in the state or the second most senior officer, not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, can also issue such orders.
The government has notified new rules for phone interception and at the state level, Inspector General of Police (IG) and above have been empowered to issue interception orders in emergency situations.
What did the government say in the notification regarding phone interception?
In a notification published by the Department of Telecommunications on December 6, the intercepted messages will not be used for any purpose unless such order is confirmed by the competent authority in an emergency situation within seven working days from the date of issue of the order. is not done. Purpose will not be allowed. Also, copies of these messages must be destroyed within two working days.
The notification said that where it is not possible for the competent authority to issue the order in a remote area or for operational reasons, the detention order may be issued by the head or second most senior officer of the authorized agency at the central level. ,
Who will be the competent authority in case of Central and State Government?
The head of an official agency of the State or the second most senior officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police may also issue such orders. According to the notification, the competent authority will be the Union Home Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs in the case of a Central Government or the Secretary in-charge of the Home Department in the case of a State Government.
At the central level, the review committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and has the Law Secretary and the Telecom Secretary as members. At the state level, the Chief Secretary will chair the review committee, which will include the Home Secretary along with the State Law Secretary and the Secretary to the State Government.