Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa to order CBI probe into alleged phone tapping under HD Kumaraswamy: 10 Things to Know

Accusations of phone tapping during his tenure as chief minister have been plaguing HD Kumaraswamy for several days w but trouble could intensify after current Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa anunced that he will write to CBI on Monday to probe all allegations in case. Here's all you need to kw: 

1. HD Kumaraswamy appeared nchalant when asked about issue by reporters on Sunday, saying he is neir distressed r anxious at prospect of being investigated, CM can order any high-level inquiry or even seek help of international ncies including asking US President Donald Trump for assistance in investigation. 

2. controversy started with a leaked phone call, allegedly between current commissioner of police of Bengaluru, Bhaskar Rao and an accused in IMA ponzi scam named Faraz. leaked audio purportedly h conversations of Faraz claiming that he is a close aide a of senior Congress leer and holds eugh sway to secure post of commissioner of police for IPS officer.

3. After this audio clip became public, an inquiry heed by Joint Commissioner of police (crime), Bengaluru was ordered by Bhaskar Rao and interim report for same was submitted on August 12 to DG&IGP of Karnataka, Neelmani Raju. Sources confirm that report asserted that phone conversations of close to 40 police officials including senior IPS officers by an GP rank official was prevalent. 

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4. Subsequently, a massive bombshell was dropped by disqualified MLA, former state president of JDS, H Vishwanath who alleged that phone calls of all 17 Congress and JDS MLAs who resigned were tapped and y were threatened by n CM’s office to support government or audio clips would be released to media. 

5. Vishwanath also claimed that personal phones of close to 300 people from various fields, including bureaucrats and journalists, were monitored and recorded by JDS-Congress government and used to determine possible political threats to coalition. He n demanded a thorough probe into alleged eavesdropping and placed blame directly at former CM HD Kumaraswamy for wanting to spy on his legislators.

6. phone-tapping polemic has split Congress party in Karnataka right down middle with senior leers speaking in different tones. Former home minister MB Patil has said that allegations are grave and should be scrutinised to get to truth. He found support in his party colleague and ar former home minister, Ramalinga Reddy. 

7. Reddy stated that previous Modi-led NDA government h indulging in eavesdropping and that phoned of many opposition leers, including his own was routinely listened to for political purposes. Reddy demanded that purview of investigation should be expanded to spying by previous government at centre too. 

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8. After chief minister Yediyurappa’s decision to hand over phone-tapping case to CBI, congress Karnataka Twitter handle h attacked CM but withdrew its objection after former CM Siddaramaiah tweeted welcoming move. He, however, topped that with a demand to also investigate ‘Operation Kamala’ and circumstances in which BJP came back to power in state. 

9. Karnataka is stranger to political phone-tapping. In 1988, n Janata Party government heed by Ramakrishna Hegde was bgered with allegations of listening into conversations of political opponents. Ironically, tipping point n was tapping of a phone call between JDS supremo HD Devegowda and Ajit Singh that was reported by a national newspaper. Consequently, Ramakrishna Hegde h to step down as CM following uproar over allegations. 

10. Legally, interceptions of personal phones is a crime and can be allowed only for national security reasons. If done for or reasons, it can attract imprisonment of up to three years under article 66 of IT act.