Speaking on 'Pegasus Project' in Lok Sabha, Union Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on July 19 said that the press reports appeared a day before the monsoon session of Parliament is an attempt to “malign Indian democracy”.
"A highly sensational story was published by a web portal last night. Many over-the-top allegations were made around this story. The press reports appeared a day before the monsoon session of Parliament. This can't be a coincidence," said Vaishnaw.
“In the past, similar claims were made regarding the use of Pegasus on WhatsApp. Those reports had no factual basis and were denied by all parties. Press reports of July 18 also appear to be an attempt to malign Indian democracy and its well-established institutions," he added.
The development comes after the names of over 40 Indian journalists appeared on the leaked list of potential targets for surveillance by an unidentified agency using Pegasus spyware.
Published 20 July 2021, 07:21 IST