Haldwani MLA Sumit Hridayesh alleges phone tapping, death plot and warns of self-immolation

Congress MLA Sumit Hridayesh has alleged that a group is tapping the phones of him and his family and conspiring to destroy and kill him. He said the alleged surveillance includes his child’s phone and could be used against him during elections.

Speaking to reporters at his hotel in Haldwani on Wednesday, Hridayesh said he feared he might not remain alive for much longer. He also warned that he would attempt self-immolation during the Assembly session in Gairsain.

The allegations have not been independently established. Hridayesh presented them as a serious security concern and criticised the lack of action on a complaint he said he had previously submitted to the police.

Complaint to police

Hridayesh said he began suspecting phone tapping about a year earlier. Acting on another person’s advice, he arranged for 2 people to examine the suspected surveillance, he said.

According to the MLA, he later discovered that the same 2 people were allegedly involved in the activity. He said he filed a named complaint against them with then SSP P.N. Meena on 24 April 2025.

Hridayesh claimed that no action had been taken on the complaint. He also alleged that the information was being used to damage his reputation and could be misused with artificial intelligence to create material against him.

During the press conference, the MLA became emotional and cried while describing the alleged threat to himself and his family. He said he had informed 2 senior Congress leaders but had not received assistance, despite the seriousness of the matter.

MLA rules out state government role

Hridayesh said he did not believe the state government was involved in the alleged conspiracy. He also said he was not accusing the government of sponsoring the activity.

He said he had spoken publicly because, in his view, political leaders in the state were being controlled by such groups. His comments place the focus on the alleged phone surveillance, the pending complaint and the protection of his family.

The meeting was attended by former Ramnagar block chief Sanjay Negi, Bajpur’s Sonu Sharma, former student union president Lal Singh Panwar and Devendra Singh Negi. Hridayesh said he would have no objection if Congress gave either Sanjay Negi or Sonu Sharma the party ticket from Haldwani.

Political reactions

Senior Congress leader Lalit Joshi said the MLA should identify the alleged gang and explain from whom he believed the threat came. Joshi described the matter as serious but said the details should be made public.

Congress district president Rahul Chhimwal said he had seen a video of Hridayesh’s press conference circulating on social media. Chhimwal said he was undergoing treatment for dengue and would discuss the issue with the MLA after recovering.

Shankar Koranga, a Uttarakhand government office-bearer, said Hridayesh was a respected Congress legislator and that the allegations of phone tapping and a plot to kill him were serious. He said action should be taken against those responsible and urged the MLA to identify anyone he suspected.

BJP district president Pratap Bisht said the state government was functioning transparently under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He said the government would treat any threat to the MLA’s life seriously and take necessary action.

Conclusion

Hridayesh has made serious allegations of phone tapping, threats to his life and inaction on his 24 April 2025 complaint. The claims require official examination, while the next clear step is for the authorities to assess the alleged threat and the complaint’s status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What has Sumit Hridayesh alleged?

He has alleged that a gang is tapping the phones of him and his family and plotting to ruin and kill him.

Q. Whose phone did Hridayesh say was also being tapped?

He said the alleged tapping included his child’s phone.

Q. When did he say he filed a police complaint?

Hridayesh said he filed a named complaint with then SSP P.N. Meena on 24 April 2025.

Q. What action did he claim followed the complaint?

He claimed that no action had been taken on the complaint.

Q. What warning did Hridayesh issue?

He warned that he would attempt self-immolation during the Assembly session in Gairsain.

Q. Did Hridayesh accuse the state government of involvement?

No. He said the state government was not involved and that he was not accusing it of sponsoring the alleged activity.

Q. What did BJP district president Pratap Bisht say?

Bisht said the government would take any threat to the MLA’s life seriously and take necessary action.