Interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communications prohibited.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in section 14, any police officer who- (a) Intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept any wire, electronic or oral communication; (b) Intentionally uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavors to use any electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept any oral communication when- (i) Such device is affixed to or otherwise transmits a signal through a wire, cable or other like connection used in wire communication; or (ii) Such device transmits communications by ratio, or interferes with the transmission of such communications; (c) Intentionally discloses or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication in violation of this sub-section; (d) Intentionally uses or endeavors to use, the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication in violation of this sub-section; or (e) (i) intentionally disclose or endeavor to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, intercepted by means authorized by section 14; (ii) Knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of such a communication in connection with a criminal investigation under this Act; (iii) Having obtained or recorded any information in connection with a criminal investigation; and (iv) With intend to improperly obstruct, impede or interfere with a duly authorized criminal investigation; or (v) Intentionally continues the interception of wire, electronic or oral communication after the specific order of disapproval by the Review Committee under sub-section (4) of section 16; Shall for such violation be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to one year and fine which may extend to rupees fifty thousand.