NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu
  • All Podcasts
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Contact us
Subscribe
Follow us Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
Politics
India
International

WhatsApp Spygate Shocks Maharashtra

Interestingly, many of those targeted by Pegasus are linked to the Bhima Koregaon case.
Amey Tirodkar
01 Nov 2019
WhatsApp Spygate Shocks Maharashtra
Image Courtesy: The Economic Times

WhatsApp, in submission to a court in San Francisco [in United States of America], admitted that an Israeli firm called NSO Group targeted around 1,400 WhatsApp users with a spyware, reported The Indian Express on Thursday. WhatsApp revealed that out of these, almost two dozen are from India and mainly comprise social activists, Dalit activists, journalists and academics. Interestingly, many of these targeted are linked to the Bhima Koregaon case.

With this revelation, reports of activists and lawyers having been alerted by WhatsApp as well as a “researcher” named John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab, Toranto, Canada have come before the public.

Nihal Singh Rathod, a Nagpur-based lawyer who is representing the accused in Bhima Koregaon case, had reportedly received a message from Scott-Railton on October 7, inquiring whether any ‘unexpected’ mails or messages were received by him. “I told them that I had received an email from [some] address, which I was not expecting,” said Rathod.

Rupali Jadhav, who also received a WhatsApp message from the purported researcher on October 28—as well as from the “WhatsApp authorities”—is a cultural activist based in Pune and is connected with Kabir Kala Manch. She has been advised by WhatsApp to buy a new handset.

Another victim of the spyware from India is reportedly renowned academic Anand Teltumbade. He is also one of the activists linked to the Bhima Koregaon case. NewsClick tried contacting him for his comments, but could not reach.

Other names that have sprung up in the aftermath of this admission include Gadchiroli-based lawyer Jagdish Meshram and actor-activist Vira Sathidar from Maharashtra.

Interestingly, the NSO Group has said that the software has been sold to government agencies only, which rouses suspicion regarding the possible role of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and its agencies—which have been accused of targeting several activists by linking them to the Bhima Koregaon case in order to suppress the dissent.

Bhima Koregaon riots took place on January 1, 2018 following an event called Elgar Parishad in Pune. Maharashtra Police’s investigation into the matter has been deemed controversial as well as questionable. Against this backdrop, the admission by WhatsApp in the USA court is extremely crucial.

Also watch: How is Pegasus Used to Spy on Indian Activists?

Bhima Koregaon
NSO group
Israeli Spyware
Pegasus
BJP
Anand Teltumbde
Nihal Singh Rathod
Rupali Jadhav
Urban Naxal debate
Kabir Kala Manch
WhatsApp
Related Stories
‘I realised that the country

Azad on Partition

CAB

CAB Passed, Difficult Path Ahead

Jharkhand Elections: Soaring Unemployment to Ruin Chances of Victory for BJP? 

Jharkhand Elections: Soaring Unemployment to Ruin Chances of Victory for BJP? 

Abdur Rahman

CAB: IPS Officer Quits, Calls for Opposition to ‘Unconstitutional’ Bill

Farmers' Long March reaches the iconic Howrah Bridge. Courtesy: Ashok Nath Dey

'Remove BJP to Save Democracy and Workers'

Afghanistan, Bangladesh Deserve Our Respect

Four Ways Citizens Can Repel Dangers of All-India NRC

Kashmir

Abrogation of Art 370: How Valley Students Are Suffering

CAB in Rajya Sabha on 11th December

Citizenship Bill: Tamils, Madheshis and Rohingyas Are Also Persecuted Minorities

CAB

CAB in Rajya Sabha, Education in Kashmir, Argentina and More


Related Stories

Jamia CAB protest police brutality
Newsclick Report

Brutal Suppression of CAB Protests: 2 Dead in Assam, Jamia Students Lathi Charged

13 December 2019
As protests against the passage of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, intensified across the country, students from Jamia Milia Islamia
Jharkhand Polls: Why Mob Lynchings No Longer an Agenda?
Amit Singh

Jharkhand Polls: Why Mob Lynchings No Longer an Agenda?

13 December 2019
Ranchi: On May 18, 2017, in the Kharsawan district of the state, Sheikh Halim, along with three others, was brutally bea
CAB
Peoples Dispatch

Why is India's Citizenship Bill Dangerous?

12 December 2019
Peoples Dispatch talks to Prabir Purkayastha of Newsclick on the Citizenship Amendment Bill that was recently passed by the Indian parliament.

Pagination

  • Next page ››

More

  • UK Elections

    Why did UK Side with Boris Johnson?

  • Football Referees

    Referees: Football’s Silent Minority (420 Grams Season 2 Episode 15)

  • Data Protection Bill

    Is Data Protection Bill Dangerous?

  • Jamia CAB protest police brutality

    Brutal Suppression of CAB Protests: 2 Dead in Assam, Jamia Students Lathi Charged

  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with
about
contact