ISLAMABAD: A controversy that started after India acquired Israeli 'Pegasus' spyware has again hit the Indian Supreme Court, with the opposition arguing that Modi's government was involved in illegal spying that was "treason". .
India bought a spyware in 2017 as part of a so-called defense deal with Israel that cost India $2 billion, and has now sparked a major controversy with the opposition, which has accused Modi's government of their illegal spying. alleged to have been involved.
The petitioner has argued that the deal was not approved by the Parliament and hence, it needs to be declared null and void and the money paid should be recovered.
A new petition was filed in the Indian Supreme Court over the alleged use of Israeli spyware 'Pegasus', urging the court to take cognizance of the New York Times report on the issue and order an investigation into the entire 2017-defense deal . Israel.
The apex court has been requested to issue suitable directions for registration of a criminal case and probe into the 'Pegasus' spyware purchase deal and alleged misappropriation of public funds in the interest of justice.
Media reports said 'Pegasus' and a missile system were the 'centre-pieces' of a nearly $2 billion deal between India and Israel in 2017 for sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear. The NYT in its report 'The Battle for the World's Most Powerful Cyber-Weapon' identified the Israeli firm NSO Group. On October 27 last year, the apex Indian court had appointed a 3-member panel of cyber experts to probe the alleged use of 'Pegasus' to monitor certain individuals in the country, observing that the state could not be 'free'. can be given. It is 'passed' every time under the guise of national security and it cannot be the 'bugbear' that the judiciary runs away from. In a significant judgment in the recent past on the issue of right to privacy of citizens, a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana had observed that mere invocation of national security by the state cannot make the judiciary a 'mute spectator' and stressed That indiscriminate spying on individuals cannot be allowed in a democratic country.
The top court said Justice Raveendran would oversee the functioning of the three-member panel comprising cyber security, digital forensics, network and hardware. The Indian court further remarked that it is appointing the committee in view of six compelling circumstances; the right to privacy and freedom of speech are allegedly affected, which should be investigated; The entire citizenry is affected by such allegations due to the possible chilling effect, no clear stand was taken by the central government and the allegations leveled by foreigners and involvement of foreign parties were taken seriously.