SC Forms Committee To Probe Pegasus Issue, Says Centre’s ‘Vague Denial’ Not Enough
The Apex court also raised concern and asked to examine if any violation of Right to Privacy
Mumbai: Supreme Court on Wednesday has accepted the submission of the petitioner and sought an independent committee of experts to discover the truth in the Pegasus spyware case.
The court pointed out that there has been no specific denial by the Centre in the issue, thus we have no option but to accept the submissions of the petitioner.
“We appoint an expert committee whose function will be overseen by the Supreme Court,” said the court, adding that the Committee has been formed to probe the falsity and discover the truth in Pegasus row.
The Apex court also raised concern and asked to examine if any violation of the Right to Privacy. They also showed sincere concern for foreign agency involvement in surveilling Indians.
The three-member committee to investigate the matter will be headed by RV Raveendran, former Supreme Court Judge, Alok Joshi, ex-chief of Research and Analysis Wing and Sandeep Oberoi.
The Supreme Court has asked the Committee to examine the allegations thoroughly and place the report before the court.
The court will study the report submitted by the expert committee and hold a hearing after 8 weeks.
The top court had reserved its order in the case after hearing the different sides on September 13.
The controversial use of the Pegasus spyware, a flagship product of Israel’s NSO Group, is believed to have been used to snoop on at least 300 Indian phone numbers of politicians, journalists, human activists, and business executives.
The names of Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishor, Ashok Lavasa, and Union ministers Prahlad Patel and Ashwini Vaishnaw, are among those on the leaked list of potential targets, The Wire had reported.
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