Gujarat forms inquiry commission to probe snooping

"After considering all aspects of the case, the state government has decided to get the matter inquired in the larger public interest to gather, assimilate and establish the truth," the statement said.


The statement referred to reports in the media quoting "certain audio-tapes published on web portals 'Kobrapost' and 'Gulail.com' regarding some alleged incident(s) of security/surveillance of a woman in the state of Gujarat in 2009."

According to the expose made earlier this month, the woman's movements and her conversations were being covered by the Gujarat "state Intelligence Bureau, the Crime Branch and the Anti-Terrorist Squad in August 2009 on oral orders, without any valid legal authorisation, and was meant only to serve the interests of someone whom Amit Shah, addressed as 'saheb'."

The Congress has been seeking to corner Modi on the alleged stalking and has claimed that "saheb" mentioned in the tapes referred to the Gujarat chief minister.

The BJP has strongly defended the Gujarat government, stating the father of the woman said he requested the state government to provide protection to his daughter.