Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Jun 21: A security breach had occurred in the union finance ministry about a year ago, and that finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, had filed an official complaint in this regard, sources said.

Mukherjee, in his complaint to the Prime Minister (PM), had reportedly said that his office as well as employees were under surveillance. It is gathered that a number of the ministry’s officials, who dealt with important files of confidential nature, were victims of this covert operation.

It is surprising that the incident occurred in the finance ministry, which is located in an area deemed to be highly secure zone. It is housed in the North Block where important offices like home ministry and PM’s office are located. Access to this building is restricted to only authorised people.

Interestingly, a team of private detectives, hired by the Central Board of Direct Taxes for routine check, found surveillance equipment having been fixed through adhesives at 16 points in the office, including the offices of the minister, his advisor, and personal secretary. The equipment, fixed to furniture with the help of adhesives, were also found in conference rooms of the ministry, it is said.

After the incident, regular checks have since been ordered. The intelligence agencies however, seem to be trying to cover up the incident, terming them to be not major one.