Sharma talks to Premal Balan about his involvement in the case and how he plans to help the new panel.
Edited excerpts:
How do you feel about the central government forming a commission of inquiry in the snooping case?
I am happy that the Government of India has formed the inquiry panel. Now, I can expect some justice.
Did you not have faith on the probe panel set up by Gujarat government?
I have no faith in the probe panel set up by the Gujarat government. What kind of justice will I get if the probe panel is formed by the government which has its own chief minister and former minister under investigation? I have already raised this issue before through a petition in the Supreme Court.
When did you come to know about snooping on you?
Some 2-3 people had told me about this earlier. I had even approached the Supreme Court in 2011 regarding this, but I was not able to corroborate the allegations with proper evidence. Till the Cobrapost expose in November this year I was totally in dark.
What will be your next step? How will you help the panel in the investigation?
I will extend all possible support to the central government’s commission. I have details of the commandos, house and the superindent of police who did the surveillance. I will put all the evidence I have before the commission.
Image: Suspended Gujarat IAS officer Pradeep Sharma
Photograph courtesy: ANI