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Pegasus Project revelations in India (edit)
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{{Short description|Revelations of the Pegasus Project investigation by journalists related to India and the aftermath}} | {{Short description|Revelations of the Pegasus Project investigation by journalists related to India and the aftermath}} | ||
In India, the [[Pegasus Project (investigation)|Pegasus Project]] investigations alleged that the [[Pegasus (spyware)|Pegasus]] spyware was used on [[Union Council of Ministers|ministers]], [[Opposition (politics)|opposition]] leaders, political strategist and tacticians, [[journalist]]s, [[Activism|activists]], [[Minority group|minority]] leaders, [[Supreme Court of India| | In India, the [[Pegasus Project (investigation)|Pegasus Project]] investigations alleged that the [[Pegasus (spyware)|Pegasus]] spyware was used on [[Union Council of Ministers|ministers]], [[Opposition (politics)|opposition]] leaders, political strategist and tacticians, [[journalist]]s, [[Activism|activists]], [[Minority group|minority]] leaders, [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme court]] judges, [[Clergy|religious leaders]], administrators like [[Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioners]] and heads of [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phones Of Indian Politicians, Journalists Hacked Using Pegasus: 10 Facts On Report|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/40-indian-journalists-targeted-by-pegasus-spyware-their-phones-hacked-report-2489415|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-19|title=Pegasus spyware used to 'snoop' on Indian journalists, activists|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pegasus-spyware-used-to-snoop-on-indian-journalists-activists/article35399573.ece|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Phones of 2 Ministers, 3 Opp leaders among many targeted for surveillance: report|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/project-pegasus-phones-of-2-ministers-3-opp-leaders-among-many-targeted-for-surveillance-report-7411027/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Some of these phones were later analysed and were confirmed to have been targeted by the Pegasus spyware.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-19|title=Pegasus: Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor among those allegedly targeted|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pegasus-rahul-gandhi-prashant-kishore-among-those-allegedly-targeted-121071901045_1.html|access-date=2021-07-28}}</ref><ref name="thewire.in">{{Cite web|title=Snoop List Has 40 Indian Journalists, Forensic Tests Confirm Presence of Pegasus Spyware on Some|url=https://thewire.in/media/pegasus-project-spyware-indian-journalists|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> | ||
The '''Pegasus Project''' was a collaborative [[investigative journalism]] initiative undertaken by 17 media organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pegasus Project: 14 World Leaders in Leaked Database|url=https://thewire.in/world/pegasus-project-14-world-leaders-macron-ramaphosa-michel-imran|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> Pegasus is a [[spyware]] developed by the [[NSO Group]], an Israeli technology and [[Cyber-arms industry|cyber-arms]] firm that can be secretly deployed on mobile phones and other devices, which run most versions of [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Forensic Methodology Report: How to catch NSO Group's Pegasus|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2021/07/forensic-methodology-report-how-to-catch-nso-groups-pegasus/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.amnesty.org|date=18 July 2021|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-19|title=Despite the hype, iPhone security no match for NSO spyware|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/07/19/apple-iphone-nso/|access-date=2021-07-28|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}}</ref> Pegasus is capable of [[Phone surveillance|reading text messages]], [[Call-tracking software|tracking calls]], [[Keystroke logging|collecting passwords]], [[Mobile phone tracking|location tracking]], accessing the target device's microphone and camera, and harvesting information from apps.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Opinion {{!}} An Israeli tech firm is selling spy software to dictators, betraying the country's ideals|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018/12/05/israel-is-selling-spy-software-dictators-betraying-its-own-ideals/|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Since Pegasus is classified as cyber-arms by the Israeli government, only national governments can purchase the spyware after the authorisation of the Israeli government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Given India's Military Ties With Israel, Modi Would Have Had No Problem Acquiring Pegasus|url=https://thewire.in/diplomacy/given-indias-military-ties-with-israel-modi-would-have-had-no-problem-acquiring-pegasus|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> | |||
The Pegasus Project initiative investigated the use of the Pegasus spyware by governments on journalists, opposition politicians, activists and business people. A target list consisting of 50,000 phone numbers, which could have been possibly targeted by the spyware, leaked to [[Forbidden Stories]] which spawned this investigation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-18|title=Revealed: leak uncovers global abuse of cyber-surveillance weapon|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/18/revealed-leak-uncovers-global-abuse-of-cyber-surveillance-weapon-nso-group-pegasus|access-date=2021-07-28|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> 300 of these numbers were from India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Pegasus Project: Leaked database includes 300 Indian phone numbers|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/pegasus-project-leaked-database-includes-300-indian-phone-numbers/2292937/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> The presence of a phone number on the list does not confirm the use of Pegasus and only forensic examination of a phone can confirm if the spyware was present.<ref name="thewire.in"/> Supreme court appointed a technical committee and asked to submit the phones for investigation of those individuals who suspect snooping by the government.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-02|title=Pegasus Snooping : SC-Appointed Technical Committee Seeks Details From Persons Suspecting Hacking Of Their Devices|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/pegasus-snooping-sc-appointed-technical-committee-seeks-details-from-persons-suspecting-hacking-of-their-devices-188607|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.livelaw.in|language=en}}</ref> | |||
The Supreme Court of India stated that the technical committee had found '[[malware]]' in 5 of the 29 phones, but not able to say conclusively that the malware found was Pegasus. The Chief Justice also mentioned that the government refused to cooperate in the investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=The Wire |title=Pegasus: Malware Found in 5 Phones, Government 'Refused to Cooperate' With Probe, Says CJI |url=https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-pegasus-technical-committee |access-date=2023-05-11 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=2022-08-25}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Rahul Gandhi (portrait crop).jpg|thumb|Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition leader in India from the [[Indian National Congress]]]] | [[File:Rahul Gandhi (portrait crop).jpg|thumb|Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition leader in India from the [[Indian National Congress]]]] | ||
== List of targets == | == List of alleged targets == | ||
[[File:Shri Alok Kumar Verma (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Alok Verma]], former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation]] | [[File:Shri Alok Kumar Verma (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Alok Verma]], former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation]] | ||
[[File:Umar khalid.jpg|thumb|[[Umar Khalid]], student leader and activist who is awaiting trial in prison]] | [[File:Umar khalid.jpg|thumb|[[Umar Khalid]], student leader and activist who is awaiting trial in prison]] | ||
The following are the list of some of the alleged Indian targets | The following are the list of some of the alleged Indian targets according to the [[Pegasus Project (investigation)|Pegasus Project]] investigations: | ||
* [[Rahul Gandhi]], an Indian politician and main rival of Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], | * [[Rahul Gandhi]], an Indian politician and main rival of Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], may have been targeted on two of his cellphones.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Key Modi rival Rahul Gandhi among potential Indian targets of NSO client|url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/jul/19/key-modi-rival-rahul-gandhi-among-indian-targets-of-nso-client|access-date=2021-07-28|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> He would go on to claim that "all [his] phones are tapped".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title="My Phone Is Definitely Tapped, I'm Not 'Potential Target'": Rahul Gandhi|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-on-pegasus-scandal-my-phone-is-clearly-tapped-im-not-potential-target-2492906|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> | ||
** Five close friends and other [[Indian National Congress|Indian National Congress party]] officials were in the leaked list of potential targets.<ref name=":0" /> | ** Five close friends and other [[Indian National Congress|Indian National Congress party]] officials were in the leaked list of potential targets.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
* [[Prashant Kishor]], a political strategist and [[Tactic (method)|tactician]], who is linked with several of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rivals,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|title=The Political Fix: What can Prashant Kishor bring to the Congress – or the anti-Modi Opposition?|url=https://scroll.in/article/1000493/the-political-fix-what-can-prashant-kishor-bring-to-the-congress-or-the-anti-modi-opposition|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> | * [[Prashant Kishor]], a political strategist and [[Tactic (method)|tactician]], who is linked with several of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rivals,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|title=The Political Fix: What can Prashant Kishor bring to the Congress – or the anti-Modi Opposition?|url=https://scroll.in/article/1000493/the-political-fix-what-can-prashant-kishor-bring-to-the-congress-or-the-anti-modi-opposition|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Scroll.in|date=19 July 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> may also have been targeted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor were targets of Pegasus snooping: Report|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/rahul-gandhi-prashant-kishor-were-targets-of-pegasus-snooping-report/787252|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.timesnownews.com|date=19 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
* [[Ashok Lavasa]], an ex-Election Commissioner of India who flagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll code violation in the [[2019 Indian general election]] | * [[Ashok Lavasa]], an ex-Election Commissioner of India who flagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll code violation in the [[2019 Indian general election]] may have been targeted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashok Lavasa Placed on Snoop List as EC After Flagging Modi's 2019 Poll Code Violations|url=https://thewire.in/government/pegasus-project-ashok-lavasa-narendra-modi-amit-shah-model-code-of-conduct|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> | ||
* [[Alok Verma]], who was ousted as the head of the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 | * [[Alok Verma]], who was ousted as the head of the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 may have been a target.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-22|title=Ousted CBI chief Verma's number on Pegasus list|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hours-after-ouster-as-cbi-chief-alok-vermas-phone-numbers-made-it-to-pegasus-list-report/article35477226.ece|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | ||
* Numerous Indian politicians including Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka [[G. Parameshwara]], as well as close aides of then Chief Minister [[H. D. Kumaraswamy]] and senior Congress leader [[Siddaramaiah]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BJP Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Prahlad Patel Find Place in List of Potential Pegasus Targets|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bjp-ministers-ashwini-vaishnaw-prahlad-patel-pegasus-spyware|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah Secretaries Were Pegasus 'Targets' During 2019 Karnataka Political Turmoil|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-kumaraswamy-siddaramaiah-secretaries-were-pegasus-targets-during-2019-karnataka-political-turmoil/388834|access-date=2021-07-28|website=outlookindia.com}}</ref> | * Numerous Indian politicians including Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka [[G. Parameshwara]], as well as close aides of then Chief Minister [[H. D. Kumaraswamy]] and senior Congress leader [[Siddaramaiah]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BJP Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw, Prahlad Patel Find Place in List of Potential Pegasus Targets|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bjp-ministers-ashwini-vaishnaw-prahlad-patel-pegasus-spyware|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah Secretaries Were Pegasus 'Targets' During 2019 Karnataka Political Turmoil|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-kumaraswamy-siddaramaiah-secretaries-were-pegasus-targets-during-2019-karnataka-political-turmoil/388834|access-date=2021-07-28|website=outlookindia.com}}</ref> | ||
* [[Abhishek Banerjee (politician)|Abhishek Banerjee]], a West Bengal politician of the [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]], and nephew of incumbent Chief Minister of West Bengal [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prashant Kishor Hacked by Pegasus, Mamata's Nephew Also Selected as Potential Snoop Target|url=https://thewire.in/government/prashant-kishor-mamata-banerjee-nephew-pegasus-spyware|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> | * [[Abhishek Banerjee (politician)|Abhishek Banerjee]], a West Bengal politician of the [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]], and nephew of incumbent Chief Minister of West Bengal [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prashant Kishor Hacked by Pegasus, Mamata's Nephew Also Selected as Potential Snoop Target|url=https://thewire.in/government/prashant-kishor-mamata-banerjee-nephew-pegasus-spyware|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref> | ||
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CJAR further stated that the allegations of hacking of a sitting [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge of ex-[[Chief Justice of India|CJI]] [[Ranjan Gogoi]]'s staffer, who accused Gogoi of [[sexual harassment]], and her family members were of "grave seriousness". It raised the question asking why a software that was reported sold only to "vetted governments" for national security issues was used to spy on Gogoi's staffer and also demanded a probe into improper collusion between the executive and judiciary. | CJAR further stated that the allegations of hacking of a sitting [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge of ex-[[Chief Justice of India|CJI]] [[Ranjan Gogoi]]'s staffer, who accused Gogoi of [[sexual harassment]], and her family members were of "grave seriousness". It raised the question asking why a software that was reported sold only to "vetted governments" for national security issues was used to spy on Gogoi's staffer and also demanded a probe into improper collusion between the executive and judiciary. | ||
In the press release, they further stated:<blockquote>The victimisation of the woman by the police, the many questionably judicial orders passed by benches headed by Justice Gogoi favourable to the Union Government, and Justice Gogoi's nomination to the Rajya Sabha soon after his retirement raises serious questions about such collusion</blockquote>It recommended Special Investigation Team headed by a retired | In the press release, they further stated:<blockquote>The victimisation of the woman by the police, the many questionably judicial orders passed by benches headed by Justice Gogoi favourable to the Union Government, and Justice Gogoi's nomination to the Rajya Sabha soon after his retirement raises serious questions about such collusion</blockquote>It recommended Special Investigation Team headed by a retired Supreme court judge be set up to investigate the Pegasus snooping scandal and probe if there was any improper collusion between the Union Government and the former Chief Justice of India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyay|first=Sparsh|date=2021-07-31|title=Pegasus Row- CJAR Condemns Phone Hacking Aimed At 'Attacking Judiciary's Independence'; Demands SC Monitored SIT Probe|url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/pegasus-row-cjar-phone-hacking-attacking-judiciary-independence-sc-monitored-sit-probe-178533|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.livelaw.in|language=en}}</ref> | ||
=== Journalists === | === Journalists === | ||
In a tweet, the [[Press Club of India]] (PCI) issued a statement:<blockquote>This is the first time in the history of this country that all pillars of our democracy — judiciary, Parliamentarians, media, executives & ministers — have been spied upon. This is unprecedented and the PCI condemns unequivocally. The snooping has been done for ulterior motives. What is disturbing is that a foreign agency, which has nothing to do with the national interest of the country, was engaged to spy on its citizens. This breeds distrust and will invite anarchy. The Govt should come out clean on this front and clarify.<ref>{{Cite | In a tweet, the [[Press Club of India]] (PCI) issued a statement:<blockquote>This is the first time in the history of this country that all pillars of our democracy — judiciary, Parliamentarians, media, executives & ministers — have been spied upon. This is unprecedented and the PCI condemns unequivocally. The snooping has been done for ulterior motives. What is disturbing is that a foreign agency, which has nothing to do with the national interest of the country, was engaged to spy on its citizens. This breeds distrust and will invite anarchy. The Govt should come out clean on this front and clarify.<ref>{{Cite tweet |url-access=limited |title=Register |user=pcitweets |number=1417013381563699201|url=https://twitter.com/pcitweets/status/1417013381563699201|access-date=2021-07-28}}</ref></blockquote>Similarly, the [[Editor's Guild of India]] also released a statement directed against the alleged spying made by the Indian government, saying:<blockquote>This act of snooping essentially conveys that journalism and political dissent are now equated with 'terror'. How can a constitutional democracy survive if governments do not make an effort to protect freedom of speech and allows surveillance with such impunity?</blockquote>It asked for a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] monitored enquiry into the matter, and further demanded that the inquiry committee should include people of impeccable credibility from different walks of life—including journalists and civil society—so that it can independently investigate the facts around the extent and intent of snooping using the services of Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Editors Guild Joins Call for SC-Monitored Probe Into Pegasus Snooping Allegations|url=https://thewire.in/media/pegasus-project-editors-guild-supreme-court-probe|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Editors Guild of India seeks Supreme Court-monitored probe into Pegasus case|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/editors-guild-of-india-seeks-supreme-court-monitored-probe-into-pegasus-case/cid/1823347|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> | ||
Senior journalists [[N. Ram|N Ram]] and [[Sashi Kumar]] approached the Supreme Court to seek an investigation into the matter. They stated that the targeted surveillance "grossly disproportionate invasion of the right to privacy".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-28|title=Pegasus spyware row: Senior journalists move Supreme Court, seek probe by sitting or former judge|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pegasus-spyware-senior-journalists-move-sc-seeking-independent-enquiry-into-govt-snooping-allegations-7424690/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-27|title=Senior journalists N. Ram, Sashi Kumar move Supreme Court for probe into Pegasus snooping allegations|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/senior-journalists-n-ram-sashi-kumar-move-supreme-court-for-probe-into-pegasus-snooping-allegations/article35553446.ece|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A bench headed by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[N. V. Ramana]] is set to hear the petition.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rajagopal|first=Krishnadas|date=2021-08-01|title=Pegasus row {{!}} CJI-led Bench to hear petition by N. Ram, Sashi Kumar on August 5|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pegasus-row-cji-led-bench-to-hear-petition-by-n-ram-sashi-kumar-on-august-5/article35659509.ece|access-date=2021-08-02|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | Senior journalists [[N. Ram|N Ram]] and [[Sashi Kumar]] approached the Supreme Court to seek an investigation into the matter. They stated that the targeted surveillance "grossly disproportionate invasion of the right to privacy".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-28|title=Pegasus spyware row: Senior journalists move Supreme Court, seek probe by sitting or former judge|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pegasus-spyware-senior-journalists-move-sc-seeking-independent-enquiry-into-govt-snooping-allegations-7424690/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-27|title=Senior journalists N. Ram, Sashi Kumar move Supreme Court for probe into Pegasus snooping allegations|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/senior-journalists-n-ram-sashi-kumar-move-supreme-court-for-probe-into-pegasus-snooping-allegations/article35553446.ece|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A bench headed by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[N. V. Ramana]] is set to hear the petition.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rajagopal|first=Krishnadas|date=2021-08-01|title=Pegasus row {{!}} CJI-led Bench to hear petition by N. Ram, Sashi Kumar on August 5|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pegasus-row-cji-led-bench-to-hear-petition-by-n-ram-sashi-kumar-on-august-5/article35659509.ece|access-date=2021-08-02|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | ||
Some news articles were released making claims that [[Amnesty International|Amnesty]] never claimed that the leaked phone numbers were of NSO's Pegasus spyware list.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2021|first1=Rahul|last1=Shrivastava|first2=Himanshu|last2=Mishra|title=Amnesty says never claimed leaked phone numbers were of NSO Pegasus Spyware list|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amnesty-leaked-phone-numbers-nso-pegasus-spyware-list-1831119-2021-07-22|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> These claims where repeated by some [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leaders.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web| | Some news articles were released making claims that [[Amnesty International|Amnesty]] never claimed that the leaked phone numbers were of NSO's Pegasus spyware list.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2021|first1=Rahul|last1=Shrivastava|first2=Himanshu|last2=Mishra|title=Amnesty says never claimed leaked phone numbers were of NSO Pegasus Spyware list|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amnesty-leaked-phone-numbers-nso-pegasus-spyware-list-1831119-2021-07-22|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> These claims where repeated by some [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leaders.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|first1=Nidhi |last1=Suresh |first2=Supriti |last2=David |title=No one is saying the Pegasus list is fake. Why are BJP leaders and their media allies insisting it is?|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/07/23/no-one-says-the-pegasus-list-is-fake-why-are-bjp-leaders-and-their-media-allies-insisting-it-is|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Newslaundry|date=23 July 2021 }}</ref> However, these reports were later proven to be false, and Amnesty issued a statement stating that it categorically stands by the findings of the investigation and that the data is irrefutably linked to potential targets of NSO Group's Pegasus spyware.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-23|title=Amnesty International rebuts claim by BJP, says it 'stands by' Pegasus reports|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/project-pegasus-false-rumours-unlawful-targeting-amnesty-7416993/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> | ||
=== Union Government === | === Union Government === | ||
The government | The Union government denied the request for a probe or investigation or an independent [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] inquiry by the opposition into the matter.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Centre Rejects Demand for Probe Into Snooping Allegations, IT Minister Calls Reports 'Over the Top'|url=https://thewire.in/government/ashwini-vaishnaw-parliament-pegasus-snooping-allegations|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=France Orders Probe Into Spyware Targeting, Israel Sets Up Crisis Group, India Remains in Denial|url=https://thewire.in/world/france-israel-probe-pegasus-spyware-surveillance-india-denial|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Centre Rejects Rahul Gandhi's Call For Pegasus Court Inquiry: 10 Points|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pegasus-government-rejects-rahul-gandhis-call-for-court-inquiry-2492996|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The former IT minister of India [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]] asked, "If more than 45 nations are using Pegasus as NSO has said, why is only India being targeted?"<ref>{{Cite web|title="If Over 45 Countries Use Pegasus, Why Target Just India?" Says BJP|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-on-pegasus-ravi-shankar-prasad-says-over-45-countries-using-pegasus-why-just-target-india-2490023|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> | ||
Many members of the government and the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] party such as home [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home and Internal Security]] [[Amit Shah]], Minister of [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology|Electronics & Information Technology]] [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] Chief Minister [[Yogi Adityanath]], [[Karnataka]] Chief Minister [[Basavaraj Bommai]], [[Assam]] Chief Minister [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]] and [[Devendra Fadnavis]] have alleged that the Pegasus Project is an international [[conspiracy]] to malign Indian democracy and defame India. Vaishnaw stated the report came one day before the monsoon session of [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] and that "this cannot be a coincidence" and Yogi Adityanath said "the opposition, knowingly or unknowingly, is falling prey to the international conspiracy." Devendra Fadnavis said that "the opposition doesn't want the parliament to run smoothly. Pegasus project is a conspiracy to ruin the nation".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fadnavis refuses allegations of Pegasus being used during his govt's tenure in Maharashtra|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/fadnavis-refuses-allegations-of-pegasus-being-used-during-his-govts-tenure-in-maharashtra20210720184611/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Pegasus allegation an international conspiracy to malign India: Bommai|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pegasus-allegation-an-international-conspiracy-to-malign-india-bommai-101626896926841.html|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-20|title='International conspiracy to defame India': Assam CM on Pegasus row|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/international-conspiracy-to-defame-india-assam-cm-on-pegasus-row-101626796355634.html|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BJP Fields State Leaders to Tackle Pegasus Allegations, Uses 'International Conspiracy' Bogey|url=https://thewire.in/politics/pegasus-spyware-india-bjp-defence|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lalchandani|first=Neha|date=July 20, 2021|title=International conspiracy to defame India: Yogi Adityanath on Pegasus row |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/international-conspiracy-to-defame-india-yogi-adityanath-on-pegasus-row/articleshow/84589477.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|title=Responses from countries to the Pegasus Project|language=en-US| | Many members of the government and the ruling [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] party such as home [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home and Internal Security]] [[Amit Shah]], Minister of [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology|Electronics & Information Technology]] [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] Chief Minister [[Yogi Adityanath]], [[Karnataka]] Chief Minister [[Basavaraj Bommai]], [[Assam]] Chief Minister [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]] and [[Devendra Fadnavis]] have alleged that the Pegasus Project is an international [[conspiracy]] to malign Indian democracy and defame India. Vaishnaw stated the report came one day before the monsoon session of [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] and that "this cannot be a coincidence" and Yogi Adityanath said "the opposition, knowingly or unknowingly, is falling prey to the international conspiracy." Devendra Fadnavis said that "the opposition doesn't want the parliament to run smoothly. Pegasus project is a conspiracy to ruin the nation".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fadnavis refuses allegations of Pegasus being used during his govt's tenure in Maharashtra|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/fadnavis-refuses-allegations-of-pegasus-being-used-during-his-govts-tenure-in-maharashtra20210720184611/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Pegasus allegation an international conspiracy to malign India: Bommai|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pegasus-allegation-an-international-conspiracy-to-malign-india-bommai-101626896926841.html|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-20|title='International conspiracy to defame India': Assam CM on Pegasus row|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/international-conspiracy-to-defame-india-assam-cm-on-pegasus-row-101626796355634.html|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BJP Fields State Leaders to Tackle Pegasus Allegations, Uses 'International Conspiracy' Bogey|url=https://thewire.in/politics/pegasus-spyware-india-bjp-defence|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lalchandani|first=Neha|date=July 20, 2021|title=International conspiracy to defame India: Yogi Adityanath on Pegasus row |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/international-conspiracy-to-defame-india-yogi-adityanath-on-pegasus-row/articleshow/84589477.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|title=Responses from countries to the Pegasus Project|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2021/07/18/responses-countries-pegasus-project/|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pegasus: why the unsanctioned use, misuse and abuse of this spyware must stop| | ||
url=https://theprobe.in/pegasus-why-the-unsanctioned-use-misuse-and-abuse-of-this-spyware-must-stop/ |website=The Probe| access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> | url=https://theprobe.in/pegasus-why-the-unsanctioned-use-misuse-and-abuse-of-this-spyware-must-stop/ |website=The Probe| | ||
date=20 July 2021 | access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref> | |||
The official response of the Government of India to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated that "[t]he allegations regarding government surveillance on specific people has no concrete basis or truth associated with it whatsoever" and that such news reports were an attempt to "malign the Indian democracy and its institutions". They further stated that each case of interception, monitoring and decryption is approved by the [[Home Secretary (India)|Union Home Secretary]] and that there exists an oversight mechanism in the form of a review committee headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary and that any such interceptions have been done under the due process of law.<ref name=":11" /> | The official response of the Government of India to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated that "[t]he allegations regarding government surveillance on specific people has no concrete basis or truth associated with it whatsoever" and that such news reports were an attempt to "malign the Indian democracy and its institutions". They further stated that each case of interception, monitoring and decryption is approved by the [[Home Secretary (India)|Union Home Secretary]] and that there exists an oversight mechanism in the form of a review committee headed by the Union Cabinet Secretary and that any such interceptions have been done under the due process of law.<ref name=":11" /> | ||
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Ashwini Vaishnaw in a statement in parliament stated that the reports were "highly sensational" and that they had "no factual basis". He further stated that NSO themselves had rubbished the claims. He stated that the existence of numbers in a list was not sufficient evidence to indicate that the spyware was used and said that the report itself stated the same and without the physical examination of the phone such claims cannot be corroborated.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=IT Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw's Statement in Parliament on 'Alleged use of spyware Pegasus to compromise phone data of some persons as reported in Media on 18th July 2021'|url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1736803|access-date=2021-07-28|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> | Ashwini Vaishnaw in a statement in parliament stated that the reports were "highly sensational" and that they had "no factual basis". He further stated that NSO themselves had rubbished the claims. He stated that the existence of numbers in a list was not sufficient evidence to indicate that the spyware was used and said that the report itself stated the same and without the physical examination of the phone such claims cannot be corroborated.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=IT Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw's Statement in Parliament on 'Alleged use of spyware Pegasus to compromise phone data of some persons as reported in Media on 18th July 2021'|url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1736803|access-date=2021-07-28|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> | ||
Amit Shah in a statement on his blog insinuated that this was an attempt to disrupt the monsoon session of the parliament and that the opposition parties were "jumping on a bandwagon" and were trying to "derail anything progressive that comes up in Parliament". He stated that the report was an attempt to "derail India's development trajectory through their conspiracies".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Disruptors and obstructers will not be able to derail India's development trajectory through their conspiracies|url=http://amitshah.co.in/disruptors-and-obstructers-will-not-be-able-to-derail-indias-development-trajectory-through-their-conspiracies/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Amit Shah Official|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Venkataramakrishnan"/> | Amit Shah in a statement on his blog insinuated that this was an attempt to disrupt the monsoon session of the parliament and that the opposition parties were "jumping on a bandwagon" and were trying to "derail anything progressive that comes up in Parliament". He stated that the report was an attempt to "derail India's development trajectory through their conspiracies".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Disruptors and obstructers will not be able to derail India's development trajectory through their conspiracies|url=http://amitshah.co.in/disruptors-and-obstructers-will-not-be-able-to-derail-indias-development-trajectory-through-their-conspiracies/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Amit Shah Official|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721103712/http://amitshah.co.in/disruptors-and-obstructers-will-not-be-able-to-derail-indias-development-trajectory-through-their-conspiracies/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Venkataramakrishnan">{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|title=Across official denials and BJP responses, one phrase missing: 'India did not use Pegasus spyware'|url=https://scroll.in/article/1000605/across-official-denials-and-bjp-responses-one-phrase-missing-india-did-not-use-pegasus-spyware|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Scroll.in|date=21 July 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
Replying to allegations from the opposition, Minister of State in [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] [[Ajay Kumar Mishra]] said that there is no reason for a probe and the people who made the allegations are "political failures".<ref name=":1" /> | Replying to allegations from the opposition, Minister of State in [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] [[Ajay Kumar Mishra]] said that there is no reason for a probe and the people who made the allegations are "political failures".<ref name=":1" /> | ||
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On July 27, 2021, ten opposition parties met to coordinate their response to move joint adjournment notice in [[Lok Sabha]] to discuss the Pegasus snooping issue. The meeting was attended by leaders of [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]], [[Shiv Sena]], [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]], [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]], [[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|RSP]], [[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]], [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI M]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Anand|last=Patel|date=July 28, 2021|title=Ten Opposition parties to move joint adjournment notice in Lok Sabha to discuss Pegasus spyware issue|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ten-opposition-parties-move-joint-adjournment-notice-lok-sabha-pegasus-spyware-1833450-2021-07-28|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | On July 27, 2021, ten opposition parties met to coordinate their response to move joint adjournment notice in [[Lok Sabha]] to discuss the Pegasus snooping issue. The meeting was attended by leaders of [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]], [[Shiv Sena]], [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]], [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]], [[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|RSP]], [[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]], [[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI M]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Anand|last=Patel|date=July 28, 2021|title=Ten Opposition parties to move joint adjournment notice in Lok Sabha to discuss Pegasus spyware issue|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ten-opposition-parties-move-joint-adjournment-notice-lok-sabha-pegasus-spyware-1833450-2021-07-28|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | ||
On July 28, 2021, a similar meeting of leaders of fourteen opposition parties to with the same aim took place. Leaders from the Congress, DMK, NCP, Shiv Sena, [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]], [[Samta Party|SP]], CPI M, [[Communist Party of India|CPI]], NC, [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]], IUML, [[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|RSP]], [[Kerala Congress (M)|KCM]] and [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi|VCK]] where in attendance.<ref>{{Cite news | On July 28, 2021, a similar meeting of leaders of fourteen opposition parties to with the same aim took place. Leaders from the Congress, DMK, NCP, Shiv Sena, [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]], [[Samta Party|SP]], CPI M, [[Communist Party of India|CPI]], NC, [[Aam Aadmi Party|AAP]], IUML, [[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|RSP]], [[Kerala Congress (M)|KCM]] and [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi|VCK]] where in attendance.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-28|title=Pegasus issue: Opposition leaders discuss strategy to corner govt in Parliament|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pegasus-issue-opposition-leaders-discuss-strategy-to-corner-govt-in-parliament/article35577224.ece|access-date=2021-07-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-07-28|title=14 parties attend Opposition meet to corner Centre, AAP also joins in|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/14-parties-attend-opposition-meet-to-corner-centre-aap-also-joins-in-121072800500_1.html|access-date=2021-07-28}}</ref> | ||
==== Indian National Congress ==== | ==== Indian National Congress ==== | ||
The [[Indian National Congress]] accused [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] of "[[treason]]" and compromising national security following the release of the reports and called for the removal of [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home and Internal Security]] [[Amit Shah]] and an investigation of the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the affair.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuchay|first=Bilal|title=Pegasus Project: Is India 'at mercy of a shady, private company'?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/20/pegasus-project-india-modi-treason-spyware-snooping-scandal|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2021|title=Pegasus Spyware India: Congress-JD(S) leaders in Karnataka were potential Pegasus spyware targets in 2019|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-jds-leaders-in-karnataka-were-potential-pegasus-spyware-targets-in-2019-report/articleshow/84583890.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> [[Rahul Gandhi]], the leader of the Indian National Congress, later claimed that the Prime Minister "hit the soul of democracy" by using Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PM Modi "Hit Soul Of India's Democracy" By Using Pegasus: Rahul Gandhi|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pegasus-scandal-rahul-gandhi-leads-opposition-meet-to-crank-up-heat-on-government-2496600|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> He went on to chair a meeting consisting of many opposition parties to push jointly in the [[Parliament]] for discussion on Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-28|title=Rahul Gandhi chairs opposition meeting, to push jointly in House for Pegasus discussion|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-chairs-opposition-meeting-to-push-jointly-in-house-for-pegasus-discussion-7425639/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | The [[Indian National Congress]] accused [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] of "[[treason]]" and compromising national security following the release of the reports and called for the removal of [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home and Internal Security]] [[Amit Shah]] and an investigation of the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the affair.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kuchay|first=Bilal|title=Pegasus Project: Is India 'at mercy of a shady, private company'?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/20/pegasus-project-india-modi-treason-spyware-snooping-scandal|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2021|title=Pegasus Spyware India: Congress-JD(S) leaders in Karnataka were potential Pegasus spyware targets in 2019|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-jds-leaders-in-karnataka-were-potential-pegasus-spyware-targets-in-2019-report/articleshow/84583890.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> [[Rahul Gandhi]], the leader of the Indian National Congress, later claimed that the Prime Minister "hit the soul of democracy" by using Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PM Modi "Hit Soul Of India's Democracy" By Using Pegasus: Rahul Gandhi|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pegasus-scandal-rahul-gandhi-leads-opposition-meet-to-crank-up-heat-on-government-2496600|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> He went on to chair a meeting consisting of many opposition parties to push jointly in the [[Parliament]] for discussion on Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-28|title=Rahul Gandhi chairs opposition meeting, to push jointly in House for Pegasus discussion|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rahul-chairs-opposition-meeting-to-push-jointly-in-house-for-pegasus-discussion-7425639/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | ||
[[Shashi Tharoor]], a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Shashi Tharoor: No need for JPC into Pegasus, IT panel will do its duty|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shashi-tharoor-no-need-for-jpc-into-pegasus-it-panel-will-do-its-duty-7416062/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The Committee summoned officials of Ministry of Information Technology & Ministry of Home Affairs for questioning regarding the matter. However, the committee was unable to meet as the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] members of the committee refused to register their attendance despite being present, and the quorum was not met. As a reaction to this, a member of a committee stated: "what happened today shows the lengths to which BJP is willing to go in order to not discuss the Pegasus spyware issue".<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Swati|last1=Mathur| | [[Shashi Tharoor]], a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Shashi Tharoor: No need for JPC into Pegasus, IT panel will do its duty|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/shashi-tharoor-no-need-for-jpc-into-pegasus-it-panel-will-do-its-duty-7416062/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The Committee summoned officials of Ministry of Information Technology & Ministry of Home Affairs for questioning regarding the matter. However, the committee was unable to meet as the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] members of the committee refused to register their attendance despite being present, and the quorum was not met. As a reaction to this, a member of a committee stated: "what happened today shows the lengths to which BJP is willing to go in order to not discuss the Pegasus spyware issue".<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Swati|last1=Mathur|date=2021-07-29|title=No quorum as MPs spar at IT panel meet, secretaries skip it|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-quorum-as-mps-spar-at-it-panel-meet-secretaries-skip-it/articleshow/84845518.cms|access-date=2021-07-31|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> | ||
Tharoor also demanded a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge-monitored probe into the issue and stated that the opposition would continue to bring up the issue in the Parliament until the central government would agree to discuss the issue. He alleged that the central government made use of tax payer's money for political gains.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Tharoor seeks SC judge-monitored probe into Pegasus snooping allegations|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tharoor-seeks-sc-judge-monitored-probe-into-pegasus-snooping-allegations-7423206/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | Tharoor also demanded a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge-monitored probe into the issue and stated that the opposition would continue to bring up the issue in the Parliament until the central government would agree to discuss the issue. He alleged that the central government made use of tax payer's money for political gains.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Tharoor seeks SC judge-monitored probe into Pegasus snooping allegations|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tharoor-seeks-sc-judge-monitored-probe-into-pegasus-snooping-allegations-7423206/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | ||
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==== All India Trinamool Congress ==== | ==== All India Trinamool Congress ==== | ||
[[West Bengal]] Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], from the [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]], alleged that the central government intends to "turn India into a surveillance state" where "democracy is in danger".<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 22, 2021|title=Modi government wants 'surveillance state', says Mamata Banerjee, calls for opposition unity|work=Economic Times|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-intends-to-turn-india-into-a-surveillance-state-tmc-chief-mamata-banerjee/amp_articleshow/84612980.cms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Pegasus row: Govt trying to turn country into a surveillance state, says Mamata Banerjee|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-tmc-pegasus-martyrs-day-kolkata-7415378/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2021|title=Pegasus Spyware: Two Union ministers, Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor on Pegasus list: Report |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/two-union-ministers-rahul-gandhi-prashant-kishor-on-pegasus-list-report/articleshow/84568453.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> She also claimed that Pegasus was used to keep track of the meetings between her and [[Prashant Kishor]]e during the [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2021 West Bengal elections]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2021|first=Anupam|last=Mishra|title=Govt snooped on my meetings with Prashant Kishor using Pegasus spyware: Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-on-pegasus-spyware-row-modi-govt-prashant-kishor-1831284-2021-07-22|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> She also said that she had to tape her phone to avoid being spied on.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Pegasus: I have taped over my phone to avoid being spied on, says Mamata Banerjee|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1000746/pegasus-i-have-covered-my-phone-to-avoid-being-spied-on-says-mamata-banerjee|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> | [[West Bengal]] Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], from the [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]], alleged that the central government intends to "turn India into a surveillance state" where "democracy is in danger".<ref>{{Cite news|date=July 22, 2021|title=Modi government wants 'surveillance state', says Mamata Banerjee, calls for opposition unity|work=Economic Times|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-intends-to-turn-india-into-a-surveillance-state-tmc-chief-mamata-banerjee/amp_articleshow/84612980.cms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-22|title=Pegasus row: Govt trying to turn country into a surveillance state, says Mamata Banerjee|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-tmc-pegasus-martyrs-day-kolkata-7415378/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2021|title=Pegasus Spyware: Two Union ministers, Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor on Pegasus list: Report |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/two-union-ministers-rahul-gandhi-prashant-kishor-on-pegasus-list-report/articleshow/84568453.cms|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> She also claimed that Pegasus was used to keep track of the meetings between her and [[Prashant Kishor]]e during the [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2021 West Bengal elections]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2021|first=Anupam|last=Mishra|title=Govt snooped on my meetings with Prashant Kishor using Pegasus spyware: Mamata Banerjee|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-on-pegasus-spyware-row-modi-govt-prashant-kishor-1831284-2021-07-22|access-date=2021-07-28|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> She also said that she had to tape her phone to avoid being spied on.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Pegasus: I have taped over my phone to avoid being spied on, says Mamata Banerjee|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1000746/pegasus-i-have-covered-my-phone-to-avoid-being-spied-on-says-mamata-banerjee|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Scroll.in|date=21 July 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
She accused the central government of sitting idle on the matter and setup | She accused the central government of sitting idle on the matter and setup a judicial inquiry panel to investigate the allegations that were revealed by the Pegasus Project.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title='Union Govt Sitting Idle': Mamata Banerjee Announces WB Govt's Inquiry Panel Into Pegasus Row|url=https://thewire.in/government/mamata-banerjee-pegasus-inquiry-commission-bengal|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Bengal Sets Up First Judicial Panel To Investigate Pegasus Scandal|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pegasus-scandal-mamata-banerjee-sets-up-panel-to-probe-spyware-allegations-days-after-nephews-name-appears-on-list-2494958|access-date=2021-07-28|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> She further sought an all party meeting to discuss the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=Mamata Banerjee meets PM Modi, calls for all-party meeting to discuss Pegasus issue|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mamata-banerjee-congress-kamal-nath-delhi-speculations-opposition-unity-7424819/|access-date=2021-07-28|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | ||
==== CPI (M) ==== | ==== CPI (M) ==== | ||
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The central government denied the request for an investigation or court monitored enquiry into the matter.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> | The central government denied the request for an investigation or court monitored enquiry into the matter.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> | ||
[[West Bengal]] Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] set up an inquiry commission to probe Pegasus spyware.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> Her cabinet approved the formation of a two-member inquiry commission lead by retired Supreme Court Justice [[Madan B. Lokur]] with former Calcutta High Court Acting Chief Justice [[Jyotirmay Bhattacharya]].<ref name="Ojha-2021">{{Cite news|last=Ojha |first=Srishti |date=16 December 2021 |title=Supreme Court Stays Probe Of Justice Lokur Commission Constituted By WB Govt In Pegasus Case |publisher=LiveLaw (legal news portal) |url=https://livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-restrains-justice-lokur-commission-constituted-by-wb-govt-from-probing-pegasus-case-187885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217064954/https://livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-restrains-justice-lokur-commission-constituted-by-wb-govt-from-probing-pegasus-case-187885 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chief Minister Banerjee said that she wished for a central committee, but had to set up a state government committee due to the central government's inaction on the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Pegasus case: Mamata Banerjee take big decision, constitutes inquiry panel to probe the matter|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pegasus-case-mamata-banerjee-take-big-decision-constitutes-inquiry-panel-to-probe-the-matter-2902565|access-date=2021-07-28|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> Some politicians such as [[Dilip Ghosh (politician)|Dilip Ghosh]], dismissed the committee and called it "drama" to divert people's attention.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 July 2021 |title=Dilip Ghosh slams Mamata Banerjee over commission to probe Pegasus issue, calls it 'drama' to divert people's attention |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en |agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dilip-ghosh-slams-mamata-banerjee-over-commission-to-probe-pegasus-issue-calls-it-drama-to-divert-peoples-attention/articleshow/84768061.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728094045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dilip-ghosh-slams-mamata-banerjee-over-commission-to-probe-pegasus-issue-calls-it-drama-to-divert-peoples-attention/articleshow/84768061.cms |archive-date=28 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 October 2021, the honourable [[Supreme Court of India]] agreeing that a central-based inquiry was needed, ordered an independent probe into the issue by a three-member committee.<ref>{{Cite news|last=G |first=Ananthakrishnan |date=28 October 2021 |title=SC orders independent probe into Pegasus, says Govt can't get free pass every time 'national security' is raised |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-pegasus-spyware-surveillance-verdict-7592853/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030050505/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-pegasus-spyware-surveillance-verdict-7592853/ |archive-date=30 October 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> The West Bengal government agreed not to have their commission function parallel with the committee of the Supreme Court; however, the independent state commission continued to operate until December 2021 when ordered directly by the Supreme Court to cease.<ref name="Ojha-2021" /> | [[West Bengal]] Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] set up an inquiry commission to probe Pegasus spyware.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> Her cabinet approved the formation of a two-member inquiry commission lead by retired Supreme Court Justice [[Madan B. Lokur]] with former Calcutta High Court Acting Chief Justice [[Jyotirmay Bhattacharya]].<ref name="Ojha-2021">{{Cite news|last=Ojha |first=Srishti |date=16 December 2021 |title=Supreme Court Stays Probe Of Justice Lokur Commission Constituted By WB Govt In Pegasus Case |publisher=LiveLaw (legal news portal) |url=https://livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-restrains-justice-lokur-commission-constituted-by-wb-govt-from-probing-pegasus-case-187885 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217064954/https://livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-restrains-justice-lokur-commission-constituted-by-wb-govt-from-probing-pegasus-case-187885 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chief Minister Banerjee said that she wished for a central committee, but had to set up a state government committee due to the central government's inaction on the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-26|title=Pegasus case: Mamata Banerjee take big decision, constitutes inquiry panel to probe the matter|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pegasus-case-mamata-banerjee-take-big-decision-constitutes-inquiry-panel-to-probe-the-matter-2902565|access-date=2021-07-28|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> Some politicians such as BJP member [[Dilip Ghosh (politician)|Dilip Ghosh]], dismissed the committee and called it "drama" to divert people's attention.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 July 2021 |title=Dilip Ghosh slams Mamata Banerjee over commission to probe Pegasus issue, calls it 'drama' to divert people's attention |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en |agency=[[Asian News International|ANI]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dilip-ghosh-slams-mamata-banerjee-over-commission-to-probe-pegasus-issue-calls-it-drama-to-divert-peoples-attention/articleshow/84768061.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728094045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/dilip-ghosh-slams-mamata-banerjee-over-commission-to-probe-pegasus-issue-calls-it-drama-to-divert-peoples-attention/articleshow/84768061.cms |archive-date=28 July 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 October 2021, the honourable [[Supreme Court of India]] agreeing that a central-based inquiry was needed, ordered an independent probe into the issue by a three-member committee.<ref>{{Cite news|last=G |first=Ananthakrishnan |date=28 October 2021 |title=SC orders independent probe into Pegasus, says Govt can't get free pass every time 'national security' is raised |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-pegasus-spyware-surveillance-verdict-7592853/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030050505/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-pegasus-spyware-surveillance-verdict-7592853/ |archive-date=30 October 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> The West Bengal government agreed not to have their commission function parallel with the committee of the Supreme Court; however, the independent state commission continued to operate until December 2021 when ordered directly by the Supreme Court to cease.<ref name="Ojha-2021" /> | ||
On 25 August 2022, the head of the Supreme Court appointed committee CJI [[N. V. Ramana]] submitted a report stating that they had found some malware in 5 of the 29 phones examined, but there was no conclusive proof that the malware was the Pegasus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Supreme Court says no conclusive proof of Pegasus spyware in phones examined |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-pegasus-spyware-case-8110566/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Further the court noted that the Central government, accused of putting the Pegasus spyware into the target's phones, did not cooperate into the matter. <ref>{{cite news |title=Pegasus: Malware found on five phones but evidence is inconclusive, says SC-appointed panel |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1031257/pegasus-not-found-on-29-mobile-phones-examined-during-inquiry-says-sc-appointed-panel |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=Scroll.in |date=2022-08-25}}</ref> <ref name="the-wire-malware-found">{{cite news |title=Pegasus: Malware Found in 5 Phones, Government 'Refused to Cooperate' With Probe, Says CJI |url=https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-pegasus-technical-committee |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=The Wire |date=2022-08-25}}</ref> The report by the technical committee was not shared with the public, even though the Chief Justice [[N. V. Ramana]]'s oral note on uploading parts of it on the website.<ref name="the-wire-malware-found" /><ref>{{cite news |title=SC Keeps Pegasus Report in Sealed Cover Despite CJI's Oral Note on Uploading Parts of It |url=https://thewire.in/law/pegasus-technical-committee-supreme-court-ramana |access-date=2022-08-26 |work=The Wire |date=2022-08-26}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Democratic backsliding]] | |||
* [[WhatsApp snooping scandal]] | * [[WhatsApp snooping scandal]] | ||
* [[Tek Fog]] | * [[Tek Fog]] | ||
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[[Category:Malware toolkits]] | [[Category:Malware toolkits]] | ||
[[Category:2021 in India]] | [[Category:2021 in India]] | ||
[[Category:Cybercrime in India]] | |||