Did Hamid Ansari lie on link with ‘Pak spy’ Nusrat Mirza? Fresh allegations spark row

New Delhi: Former Vice President Hamid Ansari, in the midst of controversy over alleged links with Pakistani journalist cum spy Nusrat Mirza, has strongly refuted the latter’s claims and denied any role in extending invitation to him for a conference in Delhi in 2010.

Now, fresh ‘disclosures’ by Dr Adish Aggarwala, President of All India Bar Association and also the organizer of the event has added fresh twist to the controversy.

In series of tweets, Dr Adish Aggarwala countered the clarification by Hamid Ansari and said that it is regrettable that the former V-P is trying to wash hands off the matter and also distancing himself from the said person who himself disclosed the ‘truth’.

“The statements made by Mr. Hamid Ansari, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, and other Congress office bearers are manifestly distorted, wholly untrue, and deplorably dishonest.” He tweeted.

*PRESS STATEMENT*

*HAMID ANSARI PUTTING UP SPURIOUS DEFENCE TO CONCEAL TIES WITH PAK SPY NUSRAT AND TO MALIGN THE PM: ICJ PRESIDENT & CO-AUTHOR OF PM BIOGRAPHY DR. ADISH C. AGGARWALA*

New Delhi, July 14 – Pakistani Journalist Nusrat Mirza is reported to have stated in…..

— Dr. Adish C Aggarwala (@adishcaggarwala) July 14, 2022

He also demanded that government initiates inquiry into the matter pertained to national security & espionage.
Yesterday, releasing a statement, the former V-P said that falsehood was unleashed on him by raking up this controversy. He also denied extending any invite to Pakistani journalist for a conference in 2010. He also put the onus on UPA government, saying that it is the MEA that finalizes the list of foreign invitees/dignitaries and not the Vice-President’s office.

Pakistani journalist Nusrat Mirza in a TV conversation recently said that he used to gather information about India during his visits between 2005-2011 and would pass on the information to Inter-Service intelligence (ISI). He also lamented that Pakistani management was weak enough to make good use of his espionage.

BJP backs explosive charges

The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) backed the fresh claims by Dr Adish Aggarwala and demanded that Congress & former VP come clean on the controversy.

In a tweet, BJP IT cell chief said that Ansari’s attempts to conceal his association with the Pak spy ‘stands exposed’ with this disclosure.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari had desired that Pakistani journalist Nusrat Mirza be invited to the Conference. When Mirza was not invited despite his insistence, he felt offended…

Explosive statement countering Ansari’s attempts to conceal his association with the Pakistani spy. https://t.co/hBp1wxm8eW

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 14, 2022