Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on Pegasus Project snooping allegations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on August 17 issued notice to the Centre in a batch of petitions seeking a probe into the Pegasus snooping allegations.

The top court told the Centre it expected a comprehensive reply in the matter; however the government filed a 2-page limited affidavit.

The Apex Court bench of Chief Justice NV Ramanna and Justices Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose posted the matter after ten days and said that it needs to deliberate further on how to proceed with the matter, according to legal news website livelaw.in.

The bench also observed that the Centre's 2-page affidavit was not enough to satisfy the issues raised by various petitioners.

"We expected a comprehensive reply, but you filed a limited affidavit", noted the Chief Justice, listing the matter for further hearing after 10 days.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted that the government is ready to place all facts before a technical committee comprising neutral and independent experts.

He added, "The expert committee can examine the facts and submit a report in the top court. But we cannot divulge details concerning the security of the country."

The Centre refused to disclose whether it used Pegasus or not.

Justice Bose queried Mehta, "Are you sure you don't want to say anything more?"

Mehta replied that he cannot give information in public domain, which software the government used or not, as later those who are being lawfully intercepted may use it to their advantage.

During the hearing, the bench observed that it does not want the Centre to disclose anything that may compromise with the national security or defence of the country.

"But the competent authority may file an affidavit, saying what they can... we can issue notices and ask for an affidavit," noted the bench.