Phone tapping to detect crimes is a violation of right to privacy, says HC

Tapping allowed only on grounds of public emergency or in interest of public safety: Court

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

THE Madras High Court has ruled that tapping of phones of individuals in a covert operation to detect crimes amounts to violation of the right to privacy, which has become an integral part of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

However, the court said tapping can be done on the occurrence of a public emergency or in the interest of public safety as per the law.