26/11 telecast: TV channels under scanner

The police are investigating who leaked confidential wireless communication during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks to television channels.

The police are investigating who leaked confidential wireless communication during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks to television channels. The Crime Branch registered a first information report of theft at Azad Maidan police station and invoked the Official Secrets Act.

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The probe will focus on the channels that aired the communications between various police units and security agencies with the main control room. The conversations aired details of where and how teams were moving during the attacks.

A police officer, requesting anonymity, said: “Details of police movements and codes used to address each other are highly confidential. Revealing such information could lead to serious security problems.”

Some top officers could be questioned because the information can be accessed only by them. “Apart from journalists, a serving officer and an officer not in service are in the zone of suspicion,” said the officer.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria said: “Sections of the Official Secrets Act were invoked. We will investigate how the tapes were leaked.”

Those found guilty face a maximum sentence of seven years.