Hearing Pegasus Pleas, Supreme Court Says Centre Affidavit Not Satisfying

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the issue involved aspects of national security and was not simple enough to be addressed through affidavits.

The Supreme Court today said that an affidavit filed by the Centre on the issue relating to alleged snooping by the government has not satisfied allegations whether or not Pegasus spyware was used and asked whether it will file an additional affidavit. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana posted for tomorrow the hearing on a batch of pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into reports of the government allegedly using Israeli spyware Pegasus to spy on politicians, activists, court staff, and journalists. "We will continue tomorrow. If you have a change of mind, let us know tomorrow. If Tushar Mehta may decide to file an affidavit, then we have nothing to say, else we will hear all of you," said Chief Justice Ramana, while adding that it cannot compel the centre to file an affidavit if it is "reluctant". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the centre, said that the issue involved aspects of national security and was not simple enough to be addressed through affidavits.