New Delhi: Supreme court on Monday asked the Center to submit a detailed affidavit with information if israeli spyware Whether Pegasus was used or not, even as the government said it has decided to set up a committee of experts to probe all issues related to the espionage case.
“Petitioners wish to know whether the Government had ever purchased or used Pegasus, and if not, what steps were taken to investigate the alleged illegal interceptions using Pegasus. If you wish to file a detailed affidavit, you may can take the time and do that.” Chief Justice of India NV Ramana told the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The top court was hearing petitions alleging spying using the Israeli spyware Pegasus.
Earlier, the Center in its two-page affidavit had said that the petitions seeking an independent probe into the Pegasus espionage allegations are based on “conjectures and conjectures” or other baseless media reports.
The Solicitor General, representing the Centre, told the court, “We are dealing with a sensitive matter but an attempt is being made to sensationalise it. The matter will have national security implications.”
The government, in its affidavit, said that its position on the alleged Pegasus spying has already been clarified by the IT minister Ashwini Vaishnav in Parliament.
“On perusal of the aforesaid petition and other related petitions, it becomes clear that these are based on conjectures and conjectures or other baseless media reports or incomplete or unconfirmed material,” the affidavit said.
The center also told the court that it had “nothing to hide” in the Pegasus espionage allegations and would set up a committee of eminent experts to investigate all aspects of the “high-tech issue”.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for senior journalists n ramo And Shashi Kumar, who has filed a petition seeking a probe into the allegations of espionage, said the affidavit filed by the Center did not say that the government or its agencies used spyware.
During the hearing, Sibal said, “We do not want the government, which may have used Pegasus or its agency, may have used it, to constitute a committee on its own.”
Responding to the proposal of the Centre’s expert committee, the apex court said the technical committee would have the limit to ascertain who bought the goods and for what purpose. The committee can only find out whether the phone was spied or not.
The Center told the court that it can choose independent members of the expert technical committee and also authorize the panel to go into all issues.
“Petitioners wish to know whether the Government had ever purchased or used Pegasus, and if not, what steps were taken to investigate the alleged illegal interceptions using Pegasus. If you wish to file a detailed affidavit, you may can take the time and do that.” Chief Justice of India NV Ramana told the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The top court was hearing petitions alleging spying using the Israeli spyware Pegasus.
Earlier, the Center in its two-page affidavit had said that the petitions seeking an independent probe into the Pegasus espionage allegations are based on “conjectures and conjectures” or other baseless media reports.
The Solicitor General, representing the Centre, told the court, “We are dealing with a sensitive matter but an attempt is being made to sensationalise it. The matter will have national security implications.”
The government, in its affidavit, said that its position on the alleged Pegasus spying has already been clarified by the IT minister Ashwini Vaishnav in Parliament.
“On perusal of the aforesaid petition and other related petitions, it becomes clear that these are based on conjectures and conjectures or other baseless media reports or incomplete or unconfirmed material,” the affidavit said.
The center also told the court that it had “nothing to hide” in the Pegasus espionage allegations and would set up a committee of eminent experts to investigate all aspects of the “high-tech issue”.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for senior journalists n ramo And Shashi Kumar, who has filed a petition seeking a probe into the allegations of espionage, said the affidavit filed by the Center did not say that the government or its agencies used spyware.
During the hearing, Sibal said, “We do not want the government, which may have used Pegasus or its agency, may have used it, to constitute a committee on its own.”
Responding to the proposal of the Centre’s expert committee, the apex court said the technical committee would have the limit to ascertain who bought the goods and for what purpose. The committee can only find out whether the phone was spied or not.
The Center told the court that it can choose independent members of the expert technical committee and also authorize the panel to go into all issues.
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