Mamata orders probe into phone tapping during LF regime

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who frequently alleged during the Left Front regime that her phone was being tapped, on Thursday said an inquiry has been ordered into the matter.

No rules were followed while tapping the phones of political leaders, journalists and even common people during Left Front regime, she told reporters.

"We have asked the chief secretary, the home secretary and the Kolkata police chief to probe at whose instance and for what purpose such phone tapping had taken place," she said after a meeting with senior officers of the Kolkata Police, including Police Commissioner R K Pachnanda.

"Phone tapping is a violation of privacy. Phone tapping is done in case of terrorists and criminals and that too with the permission of the home ministry," she said.

Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh and Home Secretary G D Gautama were present at the meeting. Prior to the assembly elections, Banerjee had alleged several times that her phone and that of some of her party leaders were being tapped. She had also complained to the Union home ministry.