Pegasus will be seen as a branch of CBI, IT, ED if Centre doesn't probe: Shiv Sena

New Delhi: The Union government is being criticised for not heeding opposition parties' repeated demand to conduct a probe into the digital surveillance of citizens using Israeli company NSO's Pegasus spyware.

Taking a jibe at the Central government's blithe attitude over the Pegasus snooping, Shiv Sena said that if the Centre did not initiate an inquiry into the snooping, the people of the country would see Pegasus as another associated branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax

Calling West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's decision to probe Pegasus an 'awakening call for other states', Sena said every state should protect the rights of civil liberties of citizens.

Apart from Opposition parties, several journalists and activists have urged the Union government to order for a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial probe into the allegations that hundreds of Indians working under different domains were found to have been victims of the NSO developed spyware.

"The ruling party should ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament instead of asking the Opposition to cooperate. Unfortunately, this government does not entertain discussions on issues that seemed as biggest threat to democracy. Until the government clear the air ordering an inquiry, people of the country will consider Pegasus as another associated branch of the CBI, ED and Income Tax," Sena made its statement in its mouthpiece Saamna.

On Monday, Banerjee had announced a Commission of Inquiry into the alleged surveillance of phones using the Pegasus spyware. Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur, and former Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Justice (retd) Jyotirmay Bhattacharya have been appointed members of the commission.