Salman Khan's phone was "tapped" in 2001: Govt.

Televisionpoint.com Team
The Maharashtra Government today said that Salman Khan's phone was "tapped" in 2001 after receiving information that calls were made to underworld don Abu Salem from the actor's phone. Hindustan Times in its first day of Mumbai edition has expose on actor Salman Khan's about threats to Aishwarya Rai over his mobile phone.

Making a statement in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil revealed that telephone calls were being made to underworld don Abu Salem from a mobile phone which did belonged to Salman Khan and thus was the phone being tapped by the Mumbai Police between August 28, 2001 and October 25, 2001.

MR Patil in the assembly said, "It was after receiving intelligence information that someone was in touch with Salem from a particular number that the phone was placed under observation. It was found that the phone belonged to Salman". He also said that a Action would be taken against Salman Khan, if he is found guilty of links with the underworld.

"On July 14 and 15, 2005, the Hindustan Times, published details of the conversation in connection with Salman's threats to Aishwarya Rai, and aired on TV channels, a detailed investigation is being conducted by the assistant commissioner of police in the crime detection branch." Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, told the House.

The samples have been sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory, Chandigarh, to find out whether the voices match with those in the tapes. Further investigation is being conducted by Additional Commissioner of Police K.L. Bishnoi and Assistant Commissioner T.K., The Minister said.

The inquiry, conducted by Additional Police Commissioner K L Bishnoi and Assistant Police Commissioner T K Yengde, would ascertain the veracity of the tape and also seek information about links with underworld and knowledge of the Mumbai serial blasts, he said.

BJP group leader in the Assembly Gopinath Munde, who had raised the issue in the House last week, asked whether any offence had been registered by the police in the matter.

When Munde demanded to know whether the police had another tape with which the newly taped voice samples would be compared, Patil said 'audio's' had been acquired from some of television channels which had aired the conversations.

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai has allegedly told the police that she cannot authenticate the voice but said that she will cooperate and recorded her voice for them to verify it. Aishwarya Rai, however, confessed that Salman Khan has harassed her in the past. It may be recalled that Aishwarya Rai's father, Krishnaraj Rai had filed a complaint with the Bandra police in 2001 against Salman Khan for harassing his daughter and his family and creating nuisance in their society premises.

Salman Khan has denied it is his voice. The actor suspects Ash's father in trying to trap him in this case. Salman Khan recorded his voice a day before Aishwarya Rai.