Amidst the Pegasus spyware row, BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari has said he has details of telephone conversations between Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee and police officers.
The West Bengal police on Tuesday suo motu registered a case against Mr. Adhikari under many Sections including The Official Secrets Act. K. Amarnath, SP, Purba Medinipur, said the complaint against Mr. Adhikari was registered under Sections of The Disaster Management Act for assembly during the pandemic and since he said he has recordings with police personnel charges have been brought against him under Section 5 of The Official Secrets Act.
In a video that surfaced on social media, Mr. Adhikari is seen making the remarks at a recent public gathering in Purba Medinipur district while addressing party supporters.
“Those who call you from nephew’s [Mr. Banerjee’s] office, I have phone numbers, call records and everything. If you have State government, we have Central government,” Mr. Adhikari is heard saying.
The remarks were directed at police officers, officers in-charge of police stations and SPs.
The BJP leader said once a CBI probe was ordered into the post-poll violence, the State government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would not be able save the officers.
Interestingly, the remarks come at a time when there are reports of Mr. Banerjee’s name figuring in the list of potential or actual targets for spying by Israeli company NSO’s Pegasus Spyware.
“Two Minutes of SILENCE for the SORE LOSERS! Despite ALLIES like ED, CBI, NIA, IT, ECI , @BJP4India’s money + might and #PegasusSpying Mr. @AmitShah couldn’t save his face in #BengalElections2021.Please COME Prepared with Better RESOURCES in 2024!,” Mr. Banerjee had tweeted on Monday.
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the remarks by Mr Adhikari make it clear that the BJP has a hand in snooping on the phone conservation of the leaders of the Opposition parties.
Watch | Explained: Pegasus, the spyware that came in via WhatsApp
