New Delhi: Supreme Court heard the pleas seeking a court-monitored probe in the Pegasus snoop gate issue. The top court said that there has been no specific denial by the Centre in the issue, thus we have no option but to accept the submissions of petitioner prima facie.
The bench hearing the case also said that they have appointed an expert committee whose function will be overseen by the Supreme Court.
SC said, "The Committee has been formed to probe the falsity and discover the truth in Pegasus row. Right to Privacy violation needs to be examined. There is a serious concern of foreign agency involvement by surveilling Indians."
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana passed the order on a batch of pleas.
The top court further said that we live in the era of information and we must recognise that while technology is important, it's important to safeguard the right to privacy, not only for journalists but for all citizens.
The Supreme Court said that it has chosen renowned experts to be a part of the three-member committee which will be probing the allegations made by the petitioners.
The court has formed a three-member committee which will be headed by RV Raveendran, former Supreme Court Judge. Other members will be Alok Joshi and Sandeep Oberoi.
The top court has directed the Committee to examine the allegations thoroughly and place the report before the court and post the hearing after 8 weeks.
Earlier, citing national security, the Centre had refused to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
The pleas are related to reports of alleged snooping by government agencies on eminent citizens, politicians, and scribes by using Israeli firm NSO's spyware Pegasus.