Appearing before the top court, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said that “whether any particular software was used or not is not a matter for public domain”. He said the matter could be examined by a committee of independent domain experts and filed before the apex court.
SG Mehta also said that the government would constitute a technical committee of independent domain experts to examine the phones of the petitioners and those claiming to be influenced by Pegasus to find out if there was any. snoop or hacking. He said the committee can conduct an inquiry and submit a report to the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice’s bench said, “The Supreme Court has given a fair and reasonable opportunity to file a detailed affidavit to know its stand on the important issues relating to the petitions. If the government does not, the Supreme Court will hear the parties and make appropriate orders.” will pass.” of India NV RamanaJustice Suryakant and Justice Hema Kohli told SG Mehta.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana on September 7 gave more time to the Center to file further response on the petitions after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he would take a decision on it. Unable to meet the relevant authorities. Filing of second affidavit.
The Center had earlier filed a limited affidavit in the top court stating that the petitions seeking an independent probe into the allegations of Pegasus espionage are based on “conjectures and conjectures or other baseless media reports or incomplete or unconfirmed material”.
The apex court had on August 17 issued notice to the Center on the petitions, making it clear that it did not want the government to disclose anything that could compromise national security.
Earlier, in its brief affidavit filed in the court, the Center had said that Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has already clarified the position on the issue in Parliament.
To remove any false narrative spread by some vested interests and to examine the issues raised, the government will constitute a committee of experts, it had said.
The top court, while issuing notice on the petitions, had said that it does not want the government to disclose anything related to national security and asked the Center what is the “problem” if the competent authority files an affidavit on it. Issue.
“Our considered response is the same as we have respectfully stated in our previous affidavit. Please examine the issue from our point of view as our affidavit is sufficient,” the law officer told the bench. country’s court.”
The law officer had said that if the government of a country gives information about which software was used and which was not, then those involved in terrorist activities can take precautionary measures.
These arguments pertain to reports of government agencies allegedly spying on eminent citizens, politicians and scholars using spyware from Israeli firm NSO. Pegasus.
An international media association has reported that there were more than 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Pegasus spyware.
(with inputs from agencies)
.