Uttarakhand Congress MLA warns of self-immolation over alleged phone hacking

Sumit Hridayesh, the Congress MLA from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, has leveled serious allegations that a criminal network is systematically hacking into mobile phones of party leaders and their family members. Despite filing complaints with police, Hridayesh claimed authorities have failed to take adequate action against the suspected perpetrators.

Frustrated by the lack of police response, Hridayesh issued a stark warning that he would resort to self-immolation during the state assembly session scheduled to convene in Gairsain if the issue remains unaddressed. The threat underscores mounting tensions within the Congress party ranks in the hill state over what he described as a coordinated effort to compromise the security and privacy of party functionaries.

The allegations have triggered concern within Congress leadership, with senior party figures including Harish Rawat expressing worry over the claims. The incident highlights ongoing security concerns facing political figures in Uttarakhand and raises questions about the capacity of local law enforcement to investigate and prevent alleged cybercrime targeting state lawmakers.

The Congress party has previously raised concerns about the vulnerability of its leaders to digital surveillance and hacking attempts. If substantiated, the allegations could lead to a broader investigation into cybersecurity lapses affecting state political establishments.