Stalking not same as providing security8230; condemnable: PC

Chidambaram was replying to a query on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi8217;s close aide and former minister of state for home Amit Shah being accused of misusing his powers and police machinery for illegal surveillance of a young woman in 2009.

8220;I think this is condemnable. Providing security isn8217;t the same as stalking,providing security is not the same as snooping,8221; he said.

BJP and Congress are engaged in a spat over alleged snooping of the woman with the latter accusing Modi of heading a 8220;fascist8221; dispensation in Gujarat where a woman was allegedly ordered to be stalked.

BJP has,however,rubbished the charge calling it the handiwork of the 8220;dirty tricks department8221; of Congress.

Two investigative news portals,Cobrapost and Gulail,had claimed on November 15 that Amit Shah had ordered illegal surveillance of the woman at the behest of one 8220;saheb8221;.

They had released taped conversation between Shah and IPS officer G L Singhal to support their claim but said its authenticity could not be confirmed.