Pegasus row: Don't think my phone was being hacked, says Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has denied reports indicating he was under surveillance Israeli company NSO Group's Pegasus and said that the BJP-led Central government does not indulge in such activities. Speaking to ANI, Patel, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti said, "I have seen the reports published in newspapers. But I don't think my phone was being hacked. I am not a big person. I don't think our government will do such work, so no question arises.

"It's the Govt that takes action on such matters. Ashwini Vaishnaw has put forth the government's views in Lok Sabha on July 19 and the party (BJP) has also presented their side. That's why I don't think there is a need to comment on it." Targeting the Opposition for repeatedly raising the snooping issue, the minister said:
"The government should be allowed to work. The Opposition should discuss the issue and allow the House to function. This is a better way."

Names of two union ministers- Prahlad Singh Patel and Ashwini Vaishnav, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and several Indian journalists appeared on the leaked list of potential targets for surveillance by an unidentified agency using Pegasus spyware, according to a report published in The Wire.

Also Read: Surveillance may have played role in toppling Karnataka govt in 2019: Report

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.