Delhi Police is in the process of acquiring its own internet monitoring system, capable of directly accessing emails, chats and other web content posted by a suspect as well as tapping into net communications through mobile phones.
The surveillance system, being called 'Lawful monitoring of Internet interception system', will be able to intercept targeted internet communications based on email IDs, chat IDs, IP addresses, keywords etc of "private persons, government agencies and individuals". It would be controlled and run by the Delhi Police.
The force has floated a global tender for the interception system as part of its project to keep an eye on suspects. Highly placed sources told TOI, "A central monitoring centre would be established at Police HQ with two remote monitoring centres at the Lodi Colony Special Cell and Chanakyapuri Crime Branch offices. These would be connected with all major internet service providers .
The new interception system would be a parallel tapping mechanism, doing away with the need to approach an Internet service provider for access to specific email and other content, as is the case at present.