Privacy & Security

SC makes a forceful intervention on Pegasus. Its expert committee has the right remit

In giving a clear direction to an expert committee constituted by it to expeditiously probe the Pegasus issue, the Supreme Courtbench headed by CJI NV Ramana made a giant intervention for the citizen’s right to privacy. The court disagreed with GoI’s arguments that sought exemption from judicial review by citing “national security”. SC took note that GoI couldn’t cogently explain how answering questions on Pegasus would endanger national security. Its observations highlighted again the importance of finding out whether Pegasus was used with official sanction against citizens. Significantly, SC said widespread surveillance also deters journalists, who have to protect their sources, from doing their job.