SC pulls up Modi govt, sets up expert panel to probe Pegasus row

• The Supreme Court appointed an experts' committee to inquire into the Pegasus snooping issue. A bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant & Hima Kohli heard the case. “The three-member committee will be headed by former apex court judge RV Raveendran. Expert panel to prepare its report expeditiously, posts hearing on a batch of pleas after 8 weeks,” the top court said. “It was an extremely uphill task to select members of the expert panel who are free from prejudices. Violation of right to privacy, freedom of speech, as alleged in pleas, needs to be examined. Every citizen of India ought to be protected against violation of privacy,” it added. The apex court declined Centre's plea to appoint an expert panel on its own and said such a course would violate judicial principle against bias. “Mere invocation of national security by the State does not render the court a mute spectator. There has only been a vague denial in 'limited affidavit' filed by Centre, which cannot be sufficient,” it said. The Centre had earlier refused to file a detailed affidavit in the matter citing national security. Pleas are related to reports of alleged snooping by govt agencies by using Israeli spyware Pegasus. Reports say Pegasus was allegedly used for surveillance of eminent citizens, politicians and scribes.