New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to the central government on petitions seeking a court-monitored special investigation into the Pegasus spying case.
A bench, led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, had asked the Centre Monday to inform if it would be willing to file an additional affidavit with details on the usage of Pegasus or not as the petitioners were not satisfied with the response. The Centre denied filing any additional affidavit saying that it is a national security matter and it cannot divulge details in a public affidavit. But it would not have any problem in placing its points before a committee of experts that was suggested by the Centre Monday.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that whatever he has filed till now covers the case and further details could not be disclosed.
"The petitioners want the government to divulge which software was used, not used. If that happens, those were likely to be intercepted for terrorist activities etc, they may take preemptive or corrective steps. We don't have anything to hide. Which software is used, which software is not used, these are national security issues, these cannot be a matter of affidavit and public debate," said the Solicitor General.
"Tomorrow if some narrative is used that military equipment is used for illegal purposes... web portal can build such a narrative. Somebody can file a petition. If I advise the government to file an affidavit regarding the use of military equipment, I will be failing in my duty," Mehta said.
The top court and the petitioners both made it clear that they don't want any information that could be dangerous for national security.
Justice Surya Kant said that a competent authority can say up to what extent information can be divulged so that people who have approached the court with spying allegations can look into.
The Court adjourned the matter for 10 days and said that in the meanwhile they will be deciding if a committee has to be constituted or what has to be done regarding the probe.
SC issues notice to Centre on Pegasus matter
The apex court has issued notice to the Centre on petitions seeking a court-monitored special investigation into the Pegasus spying case. The matter has been adjourned for 10 days.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to the central government on petitions seeking a court-monitored special investigation into the Pegasus spying case.
A bench, led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, had asked the Centre Monday to inform if it would be willing to file an additional affidavit with details on the usage of Pegasus or not as the petitioners were not satisfied with the response. The Centre denied filing any additional affidavit saying that it is a national security matter and it cannot divulge details in a public affidavit. But it would not have any problem in placing its points before a committee of experts that was suggested by the Centre Monday.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that whatever he has filed till now covers the case and further details could not be disclosed.
"The petitioners want the government to divulge which software was used, not used. If that happens, those were likely to be intercepted for terrorist activities etc, they may take preemptive or corrective steps. We don't have anything to hide. Which software is used, which software is not used, these are national security issues, these cannot be a matter of affidavit and public debate," said the Solicitor General.
"Tomorrow if some narrative is used that military equipment is used for illegal purposes... web portal can build such a narrative. Somebody can file a petition. If I advise the government to file an affidavit regarding the use of military equipment, I will be failing in my duty," Mehta said.
The top court and the petitioners both made it clear that they don't want any information that could be dangerous for national security.
Justice Surya Kant said that a competent authority can say up to what extent information can be divulged so that people who have approached the court with spying allegations can look into.
The Court adjourned the matter for 10 days and said that in the meanwhile they will be deciding if a committee has to be constituted or what has to be done regarding the probe.
