19
number under interception could not be provided. This
shows that records have not been maintained properly.
(ii) In respect of 279 telephone numbers, although
authority letters from various authorised agencies were
available, these numbers have not been shown in lists
supplied by MTNL showing interception of telephones
to the corresponding period. This shows that lists
supplied were incomplete.
(iii) In respect of 133 cases, interception of the phones were
done beyond the authorised part. The GM (O), MTNL
in his explanation has said that this was done in good
faith on oral requests of the representatives of the
competent authorities and that instructions have now
been issued that interception beyond authorised periods
will be done only on receipt of written requests.
(iv) In respect of 111 cases, interception of telephones have
exceeded 180 days' period and no permission of
Government
for
keeping
the
telephone
under
interception beyond 180 days was taken.
(v)
The files pertaining to interception have not been
maintained properly.
22. Investigation has also revealed that various authorised
agencies are not maintaining the files regarding interception of
telephones properly. One agency is not maintaining even the
logbooks of interception. The reasons for keeping a telephone
number on watch have also not been maintained properly. The
effectiveness of the results of observation have to be reported
to the Government in quarterly returns which is also not being
sent in time and does not contain all the relevant information.
In the case of agencies other than IB, the returns are submitted
to the MHA. The periodicity of maintenance of the records is
not uniform. It has been found that whereas DRI keeps record