Government has the right to lawful interception: Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Pegasus row

Governments do have the right to have lawful interception where national security is at risk and respect our fundamental rights, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and IT. Speaking at the Times Now Summit 2021 and answering questions on the recent scandal over Pegasus snooping, Chandrasekhar also said that the government has had the right to lawful interception for decades were phone calls of suspected criminals were intercepted.

“As long as it is lawful interception. There is absolutely no requirement (of debate). This government respects our fundamental rights… it is actually a protector of those fundamental rights. But the government has many things to do to protect citizens who deserve law and order and security and those tools they will continue to use in a lawful manner,” he said.