The Supreme Court has appointed an independent expert committee to probe into the allegations that the government has used the Pegasus software to snoop on Indian citizens, thus violating their constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Hima Kohli responded to the multiple petitions against the alleged snooping by the government.
Observing that the allegations were ‘grave’ and the government response to these allegations was ‘vague,’ the Supreme Court asked the committee to file its report expeditiously.
Who will supervise the Committee?
The technical committee will be overseen by former Judge R.V. Raveendran.
Alok Joshi, a former IPS officer who held key positions at the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, and Sundeep Oberoi, a cyber security expert, will assist Justice Raveendran.
Who are in the technical committee?
Dr. Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Dean, and Professor at the National Forensic Sciences University
Dr. P. Prabhaharan, a Professor at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and an expert in cyber security
Dr. Ashwin Anil Gumaste, Associate Professor of Computer Sciences and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Maharashtra.
What is the committee tasked with?
–> The committee is to find out if the Pegasus spyware was acquired by either a state or central government and used against the citizens of the country
–> If such snooping was done, then which law permitted it
–> The details of those who were snooped upon
–> The committee will also look into the government’s reaction to the snooping allegations after they had surfaced in 2019.
–> Recommend any enactment of laws to supervise such actions in future
–> The committee is to make recommendations on setting up a premier cyber security agency to investigate vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks.
–> Furthermore, the committee is tasked with making recommendations on a mechanism that will allow the citizens to raise their grievances regarding snooping.
Political reaction
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a press conference after the Supreme Court’s decision was out. Here is Rahul Gandhi’s Press Conference.