A technical committee appointed by the Supreme Court  sought more time from the apex court to submit its report on the investigation being carried out into the Pegasus spyware issue.

The top court has granted an extension to the technical committee as well as the supervisory judge for submitting the Pegasus probe report. The court has said that the process should be over within the next four weeks.

While allowing an extension, the Supreme Court noted that the technical committee is examining 29 mobiles for Pegasus spyware and the process should be over within four weeks. Further, the panel has recorded statements of some journalists as well, noted the court.

The court further said that the supervising judge would study the technical committee’s report and give his opinion to the court afterwards.

“Preferably, the process by the technical committee should be over in four weeks and the supervisory judge should be informed. The supervisory judge shall submit his report thereafter. List sometime in July,” the CJI said.

The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana also stated that the Standard Operating Procedure with regard to testing of ‘infected devices’ will be finalised too.

It may be recalled that in October 2021, the top court announced an investigation into the allegations of spying in the country by government agencies using the Israeli-made spyware Pegasus.

A global international media consortium had claimed that more than 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were potential targets for surveillance using the Pegasus spyware.

Recently, a New York Times report had claimed that the Indian government had purchased Pegasus spyware from Israel.