Tapping of Chandrababu Naidu’s phone by Telangana government illegal, says AP Minister

Hyderabad: The alleged tapping of phones of the Chief Minister, ministers and senior officials of Andhra Pradesh by the Telangana government is against the law, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu said on Saturday.

Though Hyderabad is common capital for both the states, the phones of AP Chief Minister, ministers and officials cannot be tapped, the minister said in a statement.

"The police jurisdiction of Telangana is separate. The jurisdiction of Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is limited to Telangana state. How can Telangana officials enter a territory, which is not their jurisdiction?”

"Except providing security in the common capital, they don't have the power to indulge in such illegal actions. Tapping of phones is height of illegal actions by the Telangana government," he said.

The permission of Union Home Minister need to be obtained as per Telegraphic Act if telephone conversations are to be heard, he said.

"The Telangana government tapping the phones of Andhra Pradesh officials and ministers illegally is condemnable," he said.

Referring to the arrest of Telangana TDP MLA Revanth Reddy for allegedly trying to bribe a nominated MLA in the Legislative Council polls, the AP Finance Minister said the person who takes the bribe is the first accused under the law against corruption.

He said why no case has been filed against the nominated MLA in the issue.

He alleged that the Revanth Reddy was implicated as part of a political conspiracy.