New Delhi [India], August 2 (ANI): Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and four others, reportedly included in the potential list of snoop targets using Pegasus spyware, declare installation or use I submitted a petition to the Supreme Court for direction. Spyware is “illegal and unconstitutional.”

Journalists Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, SNM Abdi, Prem Shankar Jha, Rupesh Kumar Singh, and Ipsa Shatakshi approach the Supreme Court, stating that the misuse of surveillance by government agencies violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. did.

They called on the central government to prepare all materials and documents relating to all investigations, approvals, and orders related to the use of Pegasus and disclose them to the Supreme Court.

“We will instruct respondents (government) to take appropriate steps to protect the Indian people from the use of malware such as cyberweapons and Pegasus,” the petition said.

He also called on the Government of India to address complaints about illegal privacy infringement and hacking and to introduce a judicial oversight mechanism to punish all government officials responsible for such infringement.

In his petition, Takulta claimed that they were exposed to deeply intrusive surveillance and hacking by the Government of India or other third parties.

The plea filed through the proponent Platec Chada said a forensic study of mobile phones conducted by Amnesty International revealed that their mobile phones were targeted using Pegasus. ..

Fraudulent surveillance by such sophisticated software has a “chilling effect” on the basic right to free speech, constitutes a blatant breach of the basic right to privacy, and is preceded by informants and whistleblowers. Prevents you from revealing fraudulent activity at various levels. The petition states that it has government authority and is negatively impacting governance transparency across India.

Three public interest proceedings (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking a court-supervised investigation into government reports that are currently allegedly using Israeli software Pegasus to spy on politicians, activists, and journalists. Is pending. This is the first petition filed by those allegedly affected by Pegasus snooping.

A bench led by Chief Justice of Indian NV Ramana will hear PIL on August 5th. (ANI)