21-Dec-2018: Law Enforcement Agencies can seek authorisation for Lawful Interception Monitoring

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order authorising ten security and intelligence agencies of the country to access any information stored in any computer for the purpose of monitoring, decrypting and interception.

Interception of communication by authorized Law Enforcement Agencies(LEAs) is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2007, which are available in public domain. Following is the list of authorised Law Enforcement Agencies who can seek authorisation for Lawful Interception Monitoring under the provisions of Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act 1885.

Central Agencies:

(i) Intelligence Bureau,

(ii) Narcotics Control Bureau,

(iii) Directorate of Enforcement,

(iv) Central Board of Direct Taxes,

(v) Directorate of Revenue Intelligence,

(vi) Central Bureau of Investigation,

(vii) National Investigation Agency,

(viii) Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW),

(ix) Directorate of Signal Intelligence, Ministry of Defence-for Jammu & Kashmir, North East & Assam Service Areas only.

State Agencies:

Director General of Police, of concerned state/Commissioner of Police, Delhi for Delhi Metro City Service Area only.