Cellular Operators Association of India told to submit phone data in a sealed cover

NEW DELHI: The SC directed the Cellular Operators Association of India to approach the High Court regarding operators being caught between the TS and AP governments.

In another appeal filed by the COAI against the orders passed by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Vijayawada, directing them to produce in a sealed cover all the data relating to telephone tapping, the number telephones tapped and the correspondence between them and the state, the bench said they must produce the records as directed but granted them one week’s time (instead of July 24 as directed by the CMM).

The bench, after hearing senior counsel L. Nageswara Rao, said that on Friday when the case is taken up, the CMM should adjourn the proceedings by a month.

Further, after submission of the records within a week, the CMM should not open it and wait for three weeks to enable them to move the HC. Mr Rao brought to the SC’s notice the warning that they should not  disclose information failing which they would face prosecution under the Indian Telegraph Act, IPC and Official Secrets Act without its permission.

The AP government was insisting on parting with such information and as a result the operators are caught in a piquant situation. He wanted stay on such orders, but the bench asked them to approach the High Court.