The Supreme Court will hear the petitions related to the special investigation into the Pegasus scandal on Thursday. The scandal included the allegations that many journalists, politicians were the target of Israeli spyware.
The petitions have been filed by senior journalists N Ram and Sashi Kumar, CPM MP John Brittas and advocate ML Sharma. They have urged the apex court to direct the government to disclose whether it has obtained a license for the spyware or used it, directly or indirectly, to conduct surveillance of any kind.
The petition has said that the global investigation team has revealed that more than 142 persons in India were identified as potential targets for surveillance using Pegasus spyware, which is only sold to the governments.
The petition would be heard by a two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and he would be accompanied by Justice Surya Kant.
It was revealed by many media organizations that 300 Indian mobile phones were on the list of potential targets on the leaked database of NSO, which supplies the spyware.
Recently, opposition leaders, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal including members from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) met President of India Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapathi Bhavan to discuss several adjournments over farm laws and Pegasus.
Also read: Setback for BJP as Israel govt inspects NSO Group offices to investigate Pegasus scandal
On Saturday, the government officials disclosed that more than Rs 133 crore taxpayer money have been lost because of the disruption during the Parliament monsoon session.