Direct Centre To Disclose Use Of Pegasus Spyware : 5 Journalists On Potential Snoop List Move Supreme Court

In a significant development in the Pegasus spyware controversy, five journalists who are reported to be in the potential list of snoop targets have filed writ petitions in the Supreme Court contending that the unauthorized use of surveillance by government agencies have violated their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.This is the first instance of persons approaching the. In a significant development in the Pegasus spyware controversy, five journalists who are reported to be in the potential list of snoop targets have filed writ petitions in the Supreme Court contending that the unauthorized use of surveillance by government agencies have violated their fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. his right to life, his right to privacy and his right to free speech have clearly been curtailed in a completely illegal manner and far from investigating how this happened, the very Government that is meant to protect these rights refuses to issue a categorical statement to the effect that that the Union of India and/or its agencies have never purchased/licensed the Pegasus malware or even that they have never used it against journalists, advocates and human rights activists in India", the petition states explaining why the petitioners are constrained to knock the doors of the Court. The petitions filed through Advocate-on-Record Prateek Chadha seek the following reliefs : Declare that the installation and/or use of malware or spyware such as Pegasus is illegal and unconstitutional and is ultra vires Part III of the Constitution; Issue a direction, order or writ, including writ in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondents to produce and disclose to this Hon'ble Court and the Petitioner all materials and documents with respect to all investigation, authorisation, and/or order pertaining to the use of Pegasus on the Petitioner; Issue a direction, order or writ, including writ in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondents to take suitable steps to protect Indian citizens from the use of cyberweapons/malware such as Pegasus; Issue a direction, order or writ, including writ in the nature of mandamus directing the Respondents to put in place a judicial oversight mechanism to deal with any complaints on illegal breaches of privacy and hacking and punish all government officials responsible for such breaches; and Pass such other and further order or order as may be deemed fit and proper in the interest of justice.