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The Vigilance and Telecom Monitoring Cell of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) with the help of Local Police has busted as many as 28 Illegal Exchanges spreading across the country in the month of February, 2005 on the basis of information received from the General Public on the toll free number 1600-110-420. Out of these 28 detected cases, 13 were found in Chennai, 4 in Gujarat Circle, 3 each in Karnataka Circle, Kerala Circle, Delhi (MTNL) 1 each in Mumbai (MTNL) and Andhra Pradesh Circle. A total of 484 lines of various service providers have been found in such cases.
The Investigating Agencies have arrested 11 persons so far and have registered cases under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Indian Telegraphs Act. The sophisticated equipments used in the setting up of these illegal exchange have been seized. DOT is examining lapses on the part of various operators so as to take penal action against them which may be deterrent for these operators.
It was estimated that these illegal setups were causing a revenue loss to the tune of Rs. 5 crore per month until their detection. It may be mentioned that the setting up of toll-free number has fetched better results in the instant detection of illegal calls as numerous genuine calls are being received daily by various Regional Centres of Vigilance and Telecom Monitoring Cell of DoT.
RM/AMA
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