IT experts helped accused: Cops

Anurag Singh, the alleged mastermind of the attempts to tap Arun Jaitely's phone, had hired IT experts to prepare encrypted software especially for him for the sake of safety and secrecy. Faizan Haider reports.

Anurag Singh, the alleged mastermind of the attempts to tap Arun Jaitely's phone, had hired IT experts to prepare encrypted software especially for him for the sake of safety and secrecy.

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Police sources claimed that Singh had used two pieces of software to encrypt the data on his laptop computer and cell phone.

The software developed for him was called Topcrypt and it protected the data that was saved in his computer. For his cell phone, Singh had downloaded Goldlock which is effective for encrypting cellular data, voice mail conversations, text messages and file transfers.

Singh, believed to be a cyber expert, had helped the police in several high-profile cases, including 2001 Parliament attacks and an MMS scandal. After he refused to provide the password of his devices, the Delhi police engaged cyber experts to extract details from his phone.

Sources said Singh had paid Rs 50,000 to IT experts to develop the software that he sold to others. "The software also helps people protect their phones from interception. Since his clients had feared being tapped, he had sold them this software," a senior police officer said.