Editors Guild Moves SC Seeking SIT Probe Into Pegasus Spyware Row

The Editors Guild of India has approached the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the Pegasus spyware controversy, reports said on Tuesday, 3 August.

The group has also called for the Centre to be directed to furnish the details of contracts with foreign companies for deploying spyware for surveillance and the people against whom the spyware was used, Bar and Bench reported.

"“Freedom of the press relies on non-interference by the government and its agencies in reporting of journalists, including their ability to securely and confidentially speaking with sources, investigate abuse of power and corruption, expose governmental incompetence, and speak with those in opposition to the government [sic].”" - Editors Guild of India’s petition, as quoted by LiveLaw

Various other parties have also filed petitions in the apex court regarding the Pegasus spyware row, including senior journalists N Ram and Shashi Kumar.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant will be hearing petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the Pegasus ‘snoopgate’ on 5 August.

Reports published under the ‘Pegasus Project’ by the online news portal The Wire have revealed that several journalists, activists, Opposition leaders and even current Union ministers may have been potential targets of surveillance over the past few years.

Also Read: 5 Pegasus Victims Move SC, Decry 'State-Sponsored Illegal Hacking'

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