Pegasus row: Supreme Court grants more time to probe panel to submit report
India | May 20, 2022 12:38 ISTPegasus row: The Supreme court had in October last year ordered a probe into the alleged use of Israeli spyware by the government.
Pegasus row: The Supreme court had in October last year ordered a probe into the alleged use of Israeli spyware by the government.
The NYT, in a report titled ‘The Battle for the World’s Most Powerful Cyberweapon’, said that the Israeli firm NSO Group had for nearly a decade been “selling its surveillance software on a subscription basis to law-enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world, promising that it could do what no one else -- not a private company, not even a state intelligence service -- could do: consistently and reliably crack the encrypted communications of any iPhone or Android smartphone.”
According to the report in The New York Times, the Israeli spyware Pegasus and a missile system were the "centerpieces" of a roughly USD 2-billion deal of sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear between India and Israel in 2017.
An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Pegasus spyware.
The government said its position on the alleged Pegasus snooping has already been clarified in Parliament by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Pegasus snooping controversy: The government has said that no transaction was done with the NSO Group, which sells the spyware.
Ravi Shankar Prasad said that India has lost 130 crore from its exchequer due to opposition's disruptions in the Parliament.
An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Pegasus spyware.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders ride bicycles to the Parliament, after the conclusion of their breakfast meeting.
The opposition has been demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Pegasus row and its leaders have been giving adjournment notices every day.
The opposition has been demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Pegasus row and its leaders have been giving adjournment notices every day.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the controversy over Pegasus was a "non-issue" and that the government was ready for discussions on people-related issues.
Rahul Gandhi has asked the government not to waste more time of Parliament and let the opposition raise issues of inflation, farmers and Pegasus in the House.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Opposition MPs were raising the concern of the people and the government is not listening to Opposition parties.
Opposition MPs, especially from the Congress and Trinamool Congress, may face action for indulging in objectionable acts on the floor of the Lok Sabha.
Opposition MPs created ruckus in the Lok Sabha while protesting over Pegasus and other issues. Congress members were even seen throwing papers at the Chair and Treasury benches.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Modi government of using Pegasus spyware against the country's institutions.
Opposition MPs created uproar in the Lok Sabha as they raised 'Khela Hobe' slogan and demanded a discussion on 'Pegasus Project' report.
Seven Opposition parties, barring the Congress, have sought time to meet President Ram Nath Kovind to apprise him on various issues including the Pegasus row.
A massive political row erupted in the country and other parts of the globe after media reports claimed that the Pegasus spyware was used to infiltrate phones and conduct surveillance on political leaders, government officials and journalists.
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