TMC leader Mahua Moitra claims government trying to hack into her phone and email

File Photo/PTI

Trinamool Congress leader and Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra on Tuesday claimed to have received a text and email from Apple, alerting her about alleged attempts by the government to hack into her phone and email prompting strong reactions from her.

Addressing the official Twitter handle of India's Home Ministry (@HMOIndia), Moitra dismissed the warning with a dismissive "get a life" comment, further accusing billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) of intimidation.

"Received text & email from Apple warning me Govt trying to hack into my phone & email.

@HMOIndia - get a life. Adani & PMO bullies - your fear makes me pity you.

@priyankac19 - you, I , & 3 other INDIAns have got it so far . (SIC)," Moitra posted in X.

Moitra further said that the reported cyber intrusion targeting several prominent Indian figures, allegedly orchestrated by accounts associated with the Home Ministry, led to concerns of privacy breaches. Among those allegedly targeted are individuals such as @yadavakhilesh, @raghav_chadha, @ShashiTharoor, @priyankac19, @SitaramYechury, @Pawankhera, and others affiliated with the office of @RahulGandhi.

Moitra equated the series of alleged hacking attempts to a severe violation, making the claim comparing it to the era of Emergency. She described the situation as India being subjected to surveillance tactics reminiscent of intrusive "Peeping Toms."

On Saturday, the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee rescheduled Moitra's appearance from October 31 to November 2 regarding the 'cash-for-query' case. This decision, however, comes with a warning that no further extensions beyond November 2 will be permitted.

Moitra had communicated her inability to appear before the committee on October 31 and expressed her availability only after November 5 due to prior constituency commitments in a letter sent on Friday. She took to social media, claiming that the summons were publicly announced before the official letter was emailed to her, and expressed her intention to depose after her constituency engagements conclude on November 4.

Also read: Lok Sabha Ethics Committee summons Mahua Moitra on Oct 31 in connection to cash-for-query row

Stating her readiness to present her defense against the allegations, Moitra emphasized the importance of exercising her right to cross-examine businessman Darshan Hiranandani in a letter addressed to the panel chairperson, Vinod Sonkar.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee's decision to reschedule Moitra's appearance, coupled with the warning of no further extensions, stands as the latest development in the ongoing 'cash-for-query' case investigation involving the TMC MP.

The ethics committee is probing BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's allegations that Mahua Moitra accepted cash and favours for asking questions in Lok Sabha on businessman Gautam Adani at the behest of businessman Hiranandani. On Thursday, Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai gave "oral evidence" to the panel against Mahua Moitra.