shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > India News > Article > Defence ministry says it had no transaction with Israel based NSO group

Defence ministry says it had no transaction with Israel-based NSO group

Updated on: 09 August,2021 12:00 AM IST  |  New Delhi
IANS |

Both the Upper House and the Lower House is Parliament have been witnessing disruptions over the snooping issue where NSO Group Technologies spyware called Pegasus enables the remote surveillance of smartphones of politicians, activists, journalists and others

Defence ministry says it had no transaction with Israel-based NSO group

Representational Image

The Defence Ministry put on record on Monday that it had nothing to do with snooping or Israel based NSO Group Technologies.


In a written reply to a question of parliamentarian V Sivadasan in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Minister of State (Defence) Ajay Bhatt said, "Ministry of Defence has not had any transaction with NSO Group Technologies." The minister was replying to a query whether the government had carried out any transaction with the NSO Group Technologies.


Sivadasan is a Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and member of the Upper House from Kerala.


Both the Upper House and the Lower House is Parliament have been witnessing disruptions over the snooping issue where NSO Group Technologies spyware called Pegasus enables the remote surveillance of smartphones of politicians, activists, journalists and others.

Last week eighteen leaders of like-minded opposition parties issued a joint statement and demanded a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue. The statement read: "The opposition parties stand firm and united on their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus issue in both the Houses, replied to by the Home Minister, as this has national security dimensions."

The opposition has also unequivocally conveyed that 'the discussion on the farmers' issues and agitations arising from the three anti-farmers and black agri-laws should follow the discussion on Pegasus'.

"It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined opposition and blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament. The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorstep of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the opposition's demand for an informed debate in both the Houses." it said.

The opposition also said, "It urges the government to respect parliamentary democracy and accept the discussions."

Last week even the Supreme Court said allegations of Pegasus-related snooping are serious, if the reports in the newspapers are correct. The apex court had sought the Centre's stand on petitions filed by the Editors Guild of India and senior journalist N. Ram, seeking a probe into the Israeli spyware matter. Apart from that several petitions have been filed in the top court seeking a court-monitored probe into the Pegasus snooping allegations.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK