Pegasus espionage case: Hearing today on petitions seeking independent investigation

Earlier, the apex court had given the Center more time to respond

At the September 7 hearing, the Center said it needed more time to file a new affidavit.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday will hear petitions seeking an independent probe by Israeli spyware Pegasus into spying on certain people. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice NV Raman on September 7 gave the Center more time to file a reply.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Center at the earlier hearing, said he needed more time to file a new affidavit. The central government had earlier filed a brief affidavit stating that the petitions seeking independent investigation into the Pegasus espionage allegations were based on estimates or other unverified media reports or incomplete material.

The apex court had on August 17 issued a notice to the Center regarding the petitions, saying the court did not want the government to make any disclosure that would endanger the country's security. The government said in a brief affidavit that Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav had already clarified the situation in this regard.

He said the government would form a committee of experts to dispel any misconceptions spread due to some vested interests and to investigate the issues raised.