Shashi Tharoor seeks SC judge-monitored probe into Pegasus snooping allegations

Manjil Das, INN/Chennai
Twitter-@SGiggle29 @Infodeaofficial

Shashi Tharoor, the Congress leader, sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the Pegasus snooping claims on July 26 and warned that opposition parties would continue to disrupt Parliament’s sessions until the government agreed to a discussion on the issue.

He said that the administration appeared to have exploited public funds for surveillance to further its “selfish political objectives.”

The administration has denied all the Opposition’s claims in this case.

Mr. Tharoor told reporters outside the Parliament building after the Lok Sabha adjourned, “We want the government to consent to a discussion on the matter, but it is not ready.” What we are saying is that if you [the government] do not agree to this and do not answer our questions, we will not allow you to conduct business.” Other problems, such as price increases and controversial agriculture legislation, he added, are significant to the Opposition, but the Pegasus issue is a necessity.

On July 19, the monsoon session began. Since then, both Houses of Parliament have completed little activity, as demonstrations by Opposition parties have caused adjournments.

Mr. Tharoor also mocked IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s remarks on the subject in both Houses, claiming that he just shared his “Mann Ki Baat” without listening to the Opposition.

According to Mr. Vaishnaw, there is “no basis” behind the sensationalism.

Pegasus-snooping accusations are expected to be questioned by the parliamentary panel on information technology, chaired by Mr. Tharoor, later this week, according to sources.

It is scheduled that the 32-member Standing Committee on Information and Technology of the Canadian Parliament will meet on July 28, 2007. According to a notification published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the meeting’s agenda is “Citizen’s data security and privacy”.

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