Let us examine the law on the phone tapping or wire tapping as it is known legally.

Let us for a moment assume that @UPGovt did tap phones of journalists like @TanushreePande ; but if that is legally justified? Can any Govt do so?

Ans in plain English is : Yes it is legal!

Actually Section 5(2) of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 deals with this issue and has listed various reasons for which and competent authorities who can sanction what is known as “wire tapping”. In case of state Govt, the competent authority is the Home Secy of the state.

The law has built in safeguards like Home Secy of the state can order tapping only in matters dealing with national security and sovereignty or to maintain public order or for preventing incitement of commision of an offence. https://twitter.com/alok_bhatt/status/1312180678759342080?s=21 https://twitter.com/alok_bhatt/status/1312180678759342080

Supreme Court also laid down certain guidelines in PUCL Vs Union of India & found section 5(2) as valid (see highlighted part in pic 1). SC further said that allegation around misuse by Govt is also not correct as it can be done only for specified reasons (highlighted in pic 2).

Coming back to @TanushreePande and what she was doing at Hathras - check transcripts here - it is an open n shut case of a witness being tutored and not of media journalist doing her job. If u were to mine law websites, u will find thousands of case laws on this- chk pic below https://twitter.com/theintrepid_/status/1311989038736261123

. @TanushreePande is not new to resorting to tutoring-was caught on camera doing same at JNU during CAA protests -check quoted tweet. Given her trackrecord, she has certain motivations that she fulfil in the garb of journalism. Given nature of case, she is threat to public order! https://twitter.com/boo_bunty/status/1312132166399127552

I req @Uppolice to register a case against @TanushreePande & @IndiaToday owners for their blatant attempt to use journalism to destroy public order by tutoring witnesses as evident from the transcripts shared above. Resorting to Qng Govt abt wiretap (legal) must not save them!

Given the way @IndiaToday group has been using media to promote one particular thought and ideology, it is incumbent on the @UPGovt to ensure that entire group and its owners are made to see the might of the state- Mediaplex is located at NOIDA only!