New Delhi | The Supreme Court on Monday has asked the Central government to file its reply over the notification issued by the Union Home Ministry allowing 10 agencies for surveillance.
Acting on a Public Intrest Litigation against the MHA’s December 20 notification allowing ten agencies to monitor any computer resource, the Supreme Court has asked the Central government to reply within 6 weeks. The Apex court further said that it will examine the matter.
The opposition parties had termed the MHA notification as unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights. However, the Central government had stated that the notification is been done in national security interest. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that it has been done under the law made by the Manmohan Singh govt in 2009. Each case of interception&the decision is to be approved Union Home Secretary.”
According to ministries order, the subscriber or service provider or any person in charge of the computer resource will be bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies. Failing to do so will invite seven-year imprisonment and fine.
The agencies are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation; National Investigation Agency, Cabinet Secretariat (R&AW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (For service areas of Jammu & Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
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