New Delhi | The Supreme Court on Friday, veteran journalist N. Ram and Shashi Kumar, seeking a direction for an independent investigation by a sitting or retired judge into the alleged Pegasus espionage case. Referring to the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramanna and Justice Surya Kant, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that the civil liberties of citizens, politicians, opposition parties, journalists and court staff have been kept under watch.
He stressed that this is an issue that has become a big topic in India and across the world and the issue needs urgent hearing. After Sibal’s arguments, the bench said it may hear the matter next week.
The petition, filed by journalists, said that mass surveillance using military-grade spyware violates several fundamental rights and represents an attempt to infiltrate, attack and destabilize independent institutions, which are the country’s democratic structures. important pillars of
The petitioners sought a direction to the Center to disclose whether any of its agencies have obtained licenses for Pegasus spyware or have allegedly used it directly or indirectly to carry out surveillance.
The petition claimed that hacking is an offense which inter alia provides for sections 66 (offense relating to computers), 66B (punishment for dishonestly obtaining stolen computer resources or communication equipment), 66E of the IT Act. (punishment for breach of privacy) and 66F (punishment for cyber terrorism).
Earlier, advocate ML Sharma and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas had also moved the apex court to probe the allegations of espionage.
