SC Orders Probe Into Pegasus Issue, Sets Up Expert Committee

In a major development in the Pegasus issue, the Supreme Court on Wednesday has ordered the setting up of an expert committee to examine the use of spyware against Indian citizens, including whether the right to privacy has been violated.

The committee includes former Supreme Court Judge Justice RV Raveendran, Alok Joshi and another technical expert. It will be overseen by the court.

The committee has been directed to 'expeditious probe' the matter, with the case set to be heard again after 8 weeks.

The bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli said that it had heard various petitions requesting probes into the use of Pegasus on Indian citizens.

CJI Ramana said that court has sought to uphold "constitutional principle without being consumed into political rhetoric." He noted that several victims of Pegasus had approached the court and it was incumbent to consider the use of such technology against them.

 The petitioners, including those whose phones had been compromised by Pegasus, stressed that the use of such spyware is illegal and cannot be considered lawful surveillance.

The Centre had earlier said it would set up a committee of technical experts but the apex court was not inclined to accept. CJI Ramana indicated to senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, who is representing one of the petitioners, that the court was trying to set up a committee.

Back in September, the bench had said that an order would be out in 2-3 days, but had been delayed, the CJI said, as some members it had in mind for the committee expressed their inability to join owing to personal difficulties.