Disappointed with Centre’s inaction in snooping scam,says Modhwadia

State Congress president Arjun Modhwadia on Wednesday said he was disappointed with the Central government for not taking action in the “snooping” scam,allegedly involving Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his former minister Amit Shah. Addressing mediapersons here,he said that just like the policemen involved in procuring “call detail records” of BJP leader Arun Jaitley were arrested and put behind bars,Modi and Shah should also have been arrested and imprisoned for their alleged role in snooping of the lady architect and others acquainted with her,including IAS officer Pradeep sharma,in clear violation of Indian Telegraphic Act.

“But I feel disappointed as the Central government did not take action in the matter,which is a serious criminal offence,’’ Modhwadia said. He added that he had taken up the matter with the UPA government. Stating that the issue was not restricted to morality alone but went beyond it,Modhwadia alleged: “Modi and Shah indulged in a conspiracy of spying and violating the privacy of various persons,thus encroaching on the fundamental rights of life and liberty of individuals,under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

He said that “if the father of the woman requested for security,the CM preferred the surveillance of the woman and phone-tapping of all calls to her for as many as 62 days”. “Is this the way to provide security?” he asked.

He said that the terms of reference of the commission,set up by the state government to probe the snooping scam,strangely did not include telephone-tapping and the action to be taken against Modi and Shah. Modhwadia reiterated that the probe be given to a panel headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court to dig out the truth and punish the guilty.

Modi remark: CEO sends report to EC

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Office has sent its report to the Election Commission of India on a complaint lodged by the BJP against Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia for his “lafrebaj” remark. Modhwadia has been accused of making uncharitable remark of a personal nature against CM Narendra Modi during an election meeting in Surat,where by-election campaign is in progress for Surat West Assembly seat. Modhwadia reportedly called Modi “lafrebaj” at the meeting that was held on November 23.