Lagatar24 Desk
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central government in the batch of petitions seeking probe into the Pegasus snoopgate. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose also said that the Bench needs to deliberate further on how to proceed with the matter and adjourned the hearing for ten days.
The Court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking various prayers including a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, a judicial inquiry and directions to the government to reveal details about whether it had used the Pegasus software to spy on citizens.
When the matter was taken up for hearing on Tuesday, the Central government told the Supreme Court that it is willing to give details regarding controversy to an expert committee but not make it public before the Court since that could have national security implications.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta submitted that such an expert committee can then place its report before the top court.
The demands made by petitioners before the Supreme Court are issues that have bearing on national security, the government maintained.
Mehta further said that if the government makes it public on whether Pegasus was used or not, it will help terrorists and other similar elements to take preventive steps. He also alleged that some web portals are weaving narrative on the issue.
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on Monday, the Central government had revealed that it will constitute a Committee of Experts to look into the Pegasus spyware scandal.
Yesterday, the Court took note of the fact that the affidavit filed by the Central government did not reveal whether or not it has used the spyware.
Countering these arguments, SG Mehta submitted that it will be a question of national security if this is examined in the top court.
Pegasus controversy is serious in nature if true, no efforts seem to have been made by the affected persons to file criminal complaints with the police before approaching the top court.
