While hearing pleas seeking independent probe into the Pegasus snooping matter, the Supreme Court has stated that it has chosen renowned experts to be a part of the three-member Committee.
The Committee has been formed to probe the falsity and discover truth in Pegasus row, says Supreme Court. Supreme Court said Right to Privacy violation needs to be examined. There is serious concern of foreign agency involvement by surveilling Indians, Supreme Court said.
Supreme Court says there has been no specific denial by Centre in the issue, thus we have no option but to accept the submissions of petitioner prima facie and we appoint an expert committee whose function will be overseen by the Supreme Court.
The three-member committee will be headed by RV Raveendran, former Supreme Court Judge. Other members will be Alok Joshi and Sandeep Oberoi. The committee to examine the allegations thoroughly and place report before court and posts the hearing after 8 weeks.
Earlier, it may be noted that a bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli had reserved order on September 13, saying it only wanted to know whether or not the Centre used the Pegasus spyware through illegal methods to allegedly snoop on citizens.
Citing national security, the Centre had refused to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
The pleas are related to reports of alleged snooping by government agencies on eminent citizens, politicians and scribes by using Israeli firm NSO’s spyware Pegasus.
