Gujarat police access 90,000 call records for 3 months

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New Delhi: There is considerable concern among Central intelligence agencies over the Gujarat Police accessing more than 90,000 Call Data Records (CDRs) of different persons and entities for three months starting January this year.
 
This, according to top intelligence sources, is a huge number for any state police force, especially over a short duration of three months.
 
The Gujarat Police has reportedly claimed that the CDR details were required in connection with investigations into some cases. Though it is common for law enforcement agencies to seek CDRs from service providers, what is causing concern among the intelligence agencies is the large number of such requests.
 
Intelligence sources claimed that among those whose CDRs were accessed were businessmen, politicians, government officials and even police officers. Sources claimed that some of the CDRs have not been accessed according to the prescribed guidelines and were in violation of proper norms and procedures.
 
The police has not given details of the case and the FIR numbers in the form sent for seeking CDRs in these cases.
 
“At least the FIR number should have been mentioned in the form as this helps everyone within the system understand why the details are being sought. I am surprised by such a large request,” a senior intelligence official said.
 
In an attempt to avoid any misuse of confidential information of cell users the government plans to operationalise the Central Monitoring System (CMS) shortly. 
 
The system will put an end to unauthorised tapping of telephones as this will be done only be designated government agencies.
 
Can't pass order on U.S. snooping: SC
 
The Supreme Court on Monday said it cannot pass any order against the US government and its agencies for snooping on Internet data from India as it has no jurisdiction over them.
 
“Our jurisdiction is not over the entire world. American people and government is not covered under Article 21,” a bench of Justices A.K. Patnaik and Ranjan Gogoi said.
 
The bench, however, said it would hear the PIL seeking to initiate action against Internet companies for allowing the foreign agency to access information if the petitioner convinced the court that Fundamental Rights of the people have been violated.