10 agencies authorised to snoop

The CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Intelligence Bureau are among 10 central agencies that are empowered to intercept telephone conversations, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

The agencies have to take the Union home secretary’s approval before putting anyone under surveillance, Union minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy said.

The competent authority in the central government has authorised 10 agencies for the purpose: Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, R&AW, Directorate of Signal Intelligence and Delhi Police Commissioner.