Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 4: BJP MLA Shivaraj Patil has made a serious allegation that his phone is being tapped and his movements are being tracked through the police department at the behest of his political rivals.
The claim has sparked controversy, leading to calls for an investigation into potential illegal surveillance.
In a statement responding to the accusation, Home Minister G Parameshwara promised that appropriate action would be taken against any individuals found responsible for engaging in such illegal activities.
The issue first came to light after a video of a conversation between MLA Patil and Raichur Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Puttamadaiah went viral on social media. In the video, MLA Patil is seen telling SP Puttamadaiah that his phone has been tapped at least 70 times, and that his movements are being monitored by authorities.
"They go to the police and are getting my phone tapped, violating all rules. This is the situation in the state. If this is my plight, imagine the situation of the common people," MLA Patil can be heard saying in the video.
Sources indicated that the video was recorded during a conversation between MLA Patil and SP Puttamadaiah after an overnight protest on April 1 in Raichur. The protest was organised in response to the death of a man, who allegedly died due to police torture.
In response to Patil's allegations, Home Minister Parameshwara said he would collect information from the District Superintendent of Police (SP), the Zonal Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Director General of Police (DGP).
"I will speak to the SP and the IGP. If such an incident has occurred, we will investigate why it happened, under what circumstances, and who gave the permission. Based on the findings, appropriate action will be taken," Parameshwara said.
Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, also weighed in on the controversy, linking Patil's claims to the recent honeytrap case involving Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna. Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of engaging in surveillance and phone tapping of lawmakers, including members of the opposition.
"This government is 100 per cent involved in phone tapping. Earlier, we and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy had spoken about this issue. Now, even ruling party MLAs are making these allegations. What more proof do you need? To eliminate political opponents, phones of both ruling and opposition party leaders are being tapped," Ashoka charged.