Pegasus Row: Supreme Court-Appointed Committee Submits Interim Report

So far, 13 people -- including journalists N Ram, Siddharth Varadarajan and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta -- have deposed before the committee

The committee appointed to look into the Pegasus spyware scandal -- where politicians, journalists, judges and government officials were said to have been targeted -- has sought more time to complete its investigation. Sources said the interim report has been submitted in the Supreme Court by the committee. The top court is likely to consider the report of the panel, headed by Justice (Retd) Raveendran, on February 23, sources said.

The top court had appointed the committee in October last year, saying the state will "not get a free pass" every time national security is raised and the court will not remain a "mute spectator".

So far, at least 13 people -- including journalists N Ram, Siddharth Varadarajan and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta -- have deposed before the committee. Two of the people have submitted their cellphones with the committee for forensic examination.

The Pegasus row erupted last year as a global news consortium reported that the spyware was used by several nations to target activists, journalists and many others in the civil society.