New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has filed a writ petition in the apex court seeking a court-monitored Special Investigation Team probe into the Pegasus snooping row that stirred the country. Reports said, along with seeking SIT probe, the petition sought orders to the Central government to furnish details of contracts entered with foreign companies as well as the list of persons spied upon, as per reports.
"Freedom of the press relies on non-interference by the government and its agencies in reporting of journalists, including their ability to securely and confidentially speaking with sources, investigate abuse of power and corruption, expose governmental incompetence, and speak with those in opposition to the government", said EGI's plea.
"The citizens of India have a right to know if the Executive government is infringing the limits of their authority under the Constitution and what steps have been taken to safeguard their fundamental rights. All attempts to seek accountability and enforce constitutional limits through Parliamentary processes have been stonewalled. Through their intransigence, the Respondents have deliberately avoided public debate on this issue and have provided obfuscated answers, forcing the Petitioner to approach this Hon'ble Court to seek the enforcement of the public's right to know, in performance of their obligations as trustees of the public, and on behalf of all citizens of India, "read the petition.
The petition was filed through Advocates Rupali Samuel, Raghav Tankha and Lzafeer Ahmad BF (AOR). Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of India led bench is to hear the plea filed by five journalists seeking a judicial probe into the row on August 5. Scribes, N Ram and Shashi Kumar also sought an independent probe by a sitting judge or retired judge into the matter in July. John Brittas, Rajya Sabha MP and ML Sharma advocate also filed PILs on the matter.
The Pegasus snooping row kicked off after an international media consortium published reports on mobile numbers targetted for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO's spyware, Pegasus. In India, two Union Ministers, 40 journalists, political leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Prashant Kishore, poll strategists are enlisted as targets, as per reports.
Also read: Pegasus row: Scribes say spying violated their rights, SC to hear pleas Aug 5
