No ‘prima facie’ evidence to back up allegations about phones being hacked by govt: BJP

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 5

Slamming the Opposition for creating disruptions in the Parliament with protests on the Pegasus snooping and the three central farm laws, the BJP on Thursday claimed there was no “prima facie” evidence to back up the allegations that certain phones had been hacked by the government.

Senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also questioned the opposition motives calling it a “campaign orchestrated by hostile elements to the government” just before the session.

“There is no prima facie evidence. Just before the onset of the parliamentary session, a campaign orchestrated by many of the elements hostile to the present government comes out,” he said

Prasad said that the opposition has not presented any proof that Pegasus spyware was used to tap into the phone numbers.

“We are ready for a discussion in Parliament. When the Minister made a statement on the issue, these people tore it in front of him,” he said.

The appearance of the report a day before the monsoon session was not a coincidence, he said, adding that India had “robust” systems to prevent illegal surveillance, he said.