Sunday, December 28, 2025
ADVT 
India

Pegasus row: Editors Guild moves SC seeking probe into snooping scandal

Darpan News Desk IANS, 03 Aug, 2021 10:58 AM
  • Pegasus row: Editors Guild moves SC seeking probe into snooping scandal

New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) The Editors Guild of India has moved the Supreme Court seeking an SIT probe into the alleged Pegasus snooping allegations and also a disclosure from the Centre on the alleged use of spyware for hacking and surveillance between 2017 and 2021.

The journalists body also sought issuance of guidelines on surveillance on Indian citizens and safeguarding them from electronic surveillance, spying and hacking.

The plea said surveillance has a chilling effect on public actors holding the government accountable and also termed it unconstitutional and illegal, as surveillance impedes the free flow of ideas and information.

The plea said: "This has a severely detrimental impact on the ability of politicians and public officials to freely exercise their freedom of profession."

The plea also urged the top court to declare provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, and the Information Technology Act, allowing tapping of phones, as unconstitutional, illegal, and void.

Five journalists have also moved the Supreme Court stating the unauthorised use of surveillance by government agencies have violated their fundamental rights and they are directly affected by the use of Pegasus spyware.

The petitioners -- Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, S.N.M. Abdi, Prem Shankar Jha, Rupesh Kumar Singh, and Ipsa Shatakshi - urged the top court to issue directions to the Centre to produce and disclose all materials and documents, with respect to all investigation, authorisation, and orders pertaining to the use of Pegasus on them. The petitioners alleged they were subjected to deeply intrusive surveillance and hacking by government or some other third party.

Petitions in the matter have also been filed by advocate M.L. Sharma, CPI-M Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, and senior journalists N. Ram and Sashi Kumar. The top court has scheduled the matter for hearing on August 5.

MORE India ARTICLES

IAF Chief BS Dhanoa Launches 3D Mobile Video Game Themed On Missions, Combat Scenarios

The game, 'Indian Air Force: A Cut Above', will let the Indian youth know more about the IAF, and motivate them to take it up as a challenging and exhilarating career option, he said.

IAF Chief BS Dhanoa Launches 3D Mobile Video Game Themed On Missions, Combat Scenarios

He’s One Of The Calmest Persons I’ve Met: Anushka On Hubby Virat's Aggression

However, dear wife Anushka Sharma thinks he's a very calm person. In an interview with Filmfare, Anushka said, "He’s one of the calmest persons I’ve met. Off the field, he’s so relaxed.

He’s One Of The Calmest Persons I’ve Met: Anushka On Hubby Virat's Aggression

Man Cancels Order Over ‘Non-Hindu’ Delivery Boy; Zomato Reply Wins Hearts

Food delivery company Zomato is winning the internet after it on Wednesday refused to resolve a customer's complaint about being assigned a Muslim delivery executive for his food order.

Man Cancels Order Over ‘Non-Hindu’ Delivery Boy; Zomato Reply Wins Hearts

V.G. Siddhartha Suicide: Saga Of A Coffee Baron's Brewing Success & Failure

I am solely responsible for all mistakes. Every financial transaction is my responsibility. My team, auditors and senior management are totally unaware of all my transactions. 

V.G. Siddhartha Suicide: Saga Of A Coffee Baron's Brewing Success & Failure

At Least 55 Govt Schools In Punjab Don't Have Any Teacher

At Least 55 Govt Schools In Punjab Don't Have Any Teacher
At least 55 government schools located along the border areas of Punjab have students, but no teachers.

At Least 55 Govt Schools In Punjab Don't Have Any Teacher

Over 1 Kg Heroin Worth Rs 7 Cr Seized From Woman In Punjab

Over 1 Kg Heroin Worth Rs 7 Cr Seized From Woman In Punjab
Over a kilogram of heroin with a street value of Rs 7 crore was seized from the possession of a 24-year-old woman here, police said on Wednesday.

Over 1 Kg Heroin Worth Rs 7 Cr Seized From Woman In Punjab