Replying to the concern raised by Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, today, the Home Minister clarified that there was no High Power Listening Device found at the residence of Mr. Gadkari and therefore no question of any investigation in the matter arises.

Mr. Singh said that Gadkari himself has denied existence of any bugging device and has termed it as speculative.

Raising the issue Mr. Kharge had demanded a statement either by the Prime Minister or Home Minister on the issue.

He said such a bugging incident had taken place in Gujarat also. He also wanted to know that how many such bugging devices are planted inside the residences of ministers.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has once again rejected media reports that his house was bugged. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House today, he termed the reports as baseless and untrue.

Gadkari's ministerial colleague and Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad took on the Congress saying it is raising a non-issue out of desperation. `
Congress, however, persisted, with its demand for an explanation.

Party leader Digvijay Singh said the government cannot brush the issue aside. He quoted BJP leader Subramanium Swamy as claiming that even the houses of Home Minster and External Affairs Minister were not spared from bugging.
BSP chief Mayawati said the bugging episode is a serious issue deserving to be discussed before probing.

She told reporters that bugging should be banned as anyone can be put under surveillance.