Shinde rules out probe into Gujarat snoopgate controversy

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde has ruled out a probe into the Gujarat snoopgate controversy, saying that the Centre has no jurisdiction in the matter. However, senior ministry officials indicated that a report may be sought from the state government, now that President Pranab Mukherjee has forwarded a women's groups' petition, seeking a probe into the episode, to the home ministry.

Shinde on Monday clarified his statement that the alleged misuse of Gujarat state machinery in snoopgate would be probed, saying that the powers in this regard had been delegated to the state government. "The Union home ministry has no jurisdiction in the matter," he stated.

According to home ministry sources, the phone of the woman allegedly snooped upon by the Gujarat police at the behest of then home minister Amit Shah, was a Gujarat number. As per the Indian Telegraph Act rules, it is for the state home secretary to authorize interception of a number registered in that state. This applies even when the number is used in other jurisdictions or, in other words, is on roaming.

"The Union home secretary only authorizes interception where the phone number belongs to Union territory or the person under surveillance uses multiple phones across jurisdictions," said a home ministry official.

According to sources, the Gujarat police may only cite its ongoing inquiry into the snooping case, in the event of home ministry seeking a report.

Incidentally, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh has questioned the Gujarat government probe into snoopgate, saying that it was like the accused deciding who will investigate and sit in judgment.