Pegasus Spyware Case: SC To Hear Batch Of Pleas On Pegasus Spying Allegations On Feb 23

<p><strong>New Delhi: </strong>The Supreme Court-appointed committee to probe the Pegasus spyware case has sought more time to complete its investigation. According to the Sources quoted by news agency IANS, the committee appointed by the apex court has submitted the interim report to the Supreme Court. Sources said the top court is likely to consider the report of Justice (retd) Raveendran Committee on February 23.</p> <p>A bench led by Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli has listed as many as 12 PILs, including the ones documented by Editors Guild of India and veteran columnists N Ram and Sashi Kumar, for hearing on February 23 and is probably going to examine and analyse the report which was to be recorded by the apex court-appointed board.</p> <p>The Supreme Court had in October last year set up a committee of experts to probe the case of alleged spying of Indian citizens through the Israeli spyware Pegasus, observing that the state "won't get a free pass" every time it enhances national security and the court will no longer be a "mute spectator".</p> <p>In fact, a conglomerate of some international media groups claimed that Pegasus was allegedly used against several Indian politicians, ministers, social activists, businessmen, and journalists.</p> <p>The Pegasus controversy escalated when the American newspaper New York Times recently claimed in a news report that Pegasus spyware and one of the most advanced weapons and intelligence equipment deal between India and Israel in 2017 was worth about two billion dollars and the procurement of missile systems was mainly involved.</p> <p><em>(With agency inputs)</em></p>

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