TN Chief Secy's phone tapped, CM orders inquiry

Chennai: A day after reports that the Tamil Nadu intelligence wing had tapped the state Chief Secretary LK Tripathi's phone, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi ordered an inquiry to investigate the charge amid uproarious scenes in the Assembly.

Tripathi's phone was allegedly tapped when he was giving instructions to the chief of the state's Vigilance Department. Tripathi allegedly was talking about the Kodanad real estate case involving former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

While the content of the conversation is not explosive, allegations that even the chief secretary's phone is being tapped has caused severe embarrassment to the DMK government. First Karunanidhi denied it, but now under pressure from the opposition he has ordered an inquiry.

“The state government will order a probe by a High Court judge into the allegations,” Karunanidhi said after the AIADMK raised the issue in the state Assembly.

Meanwhile, AIADMK leader O Pannerselvam said, “This is one more reason why Karunanidhi should resign and so we walked out of the house.”

This is the second time in recent months that allegation of telephone tapping has surfaced in the state. Earlier, a media report said the phones of political leaders, including PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss, an ally of DMK, besides journalists and police were tapped.

However, the government had then denied the report.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)