Pegasus Case: Govt tells SC 'It will constitute panel of experts to dispel any wrong narrative'

New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court heard the petitions filed for an independent investigation into the Pegasus spy case. During this, information has been given by the Central Government by filing an affidavit that it will constitute a committee of experts to investigate all aspects of the alleged spying of Indian citizens with the Israeli Pegasus spyware.

Centre to form a panel:

The Supreme Court will continue hearing the matter on Tuesday as well. The Supreme Court has given the Center 10 days to make appointments to the tribunal despite the recommendations of the selection committees.

The Center told the Supreme Court on Monday that petitions seeking an independent probe into Pegasus espionage allegations are based on speculation, conjecture and unconfirmed media reports. A group of experts will examine all the issues raised.

In an affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Aniruddha Bose, the government said Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has already clarified its stand in Parliament on the alleged Pegasus espionage issue.

Pegasus Spyware Case:

"On perusal of the aforesaid petition and related petitions, it becomes clear that they are based on speculations, conjectures and other unconfirmed media reports and incomplete or unverified material," the affidavit said. A committee of experts will be constituted to remove any miscommunication and to examine the issues raised. During the brief hearing, the bench said it would look into it at the end of the day.

Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for journalist N Ram, said that we want to know only two things, which the government is not responding to. The first is whether the government used Pegasus. Second, whether the espionage was done after the permission of the authorities according to the rule. According to Sibal, the government is avoiding these questions.

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