ISLAMABAD: The Indian government-led by Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi which had acquired spyware from Israel as part of a weapon purchase deal in 2017, is using it to witch-hunting of political leaders, human rights activists and journalists.

Richmond-based gastroenterologist Dr Lokesh Vuyurru, an Indian-American doctor, has moved a lawsuit in the US court against PM Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and business tycoon Gautam Adani on a host of issues, including spying of the political figures along with other Indians through use of Pegasus spyware. The US District Court for the District of Columbia, on September 1, issued summons to all these leaders, along with several others, which were served on them in India earlier this year.

Earlier this year when the New York Times reported that India had acquired Pegasus from Israel as part of a defence deal in 2017, it stirred heated debate in India’s parliament, creating a political storm over fresh allegations that Modi’s government bought Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to snoop on its critics.

According to leading Indian media outlets, The Hindu and the Wire and international TV channels like the BBC and Al Jazeera, the opposition parties had accused the Indian government of lying to parliament and misleading the house. The main opposition Congress, early this year called for a “privilege motion” in parliament – used in instances when members were accused of committing a breach of privilege – against information and technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for “deliberately misleading the House”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 21 2022

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