Pegasus row | SC appoints expert committee to examine allegation of snooping
The Hindu
"The Union of India has not specifically denied the Pegasus allegations."
A Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana has decided to form an expert committee to look into the allegations of snooping by Union government on various people allegedly by using Israeli-based to spy on citizens.
Former apex court judge, Justice R.V. Raveendran, will oversee the committee and submit the report expeditiously, the Bench also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said. The committee has been asked to prepare its report expeditiously. The exert committee comprises Alok Joshi, Dr. Sandeep Oberoi, and three technical members - Naveen Kumar Choudhary, Dr. Prabhakaran, and Dr. Ashwini Anil Gupte.
The Bench said it would not have been compelled to pass the order had the government taken a clear stand in court in the case. "The Union of India has not specifically denied the Pegasus allegations," the Bench remarked and added, the Centre cannot get a free pass citing the bug bear of national security. "It cannot merely evoke national security to Stonewall judicial review."