Won't disclose report that touches country's security, sovereignty: SC on Pegasus row
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will not disclose any report that touches the security and sovereignty of the country but indicated that it may address individual apprehensions of privacy breach.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh said the report of the technical committee should not be made a document for discussion on the streets.
"Any report which touches the security and sovereignty of the country will not be touched. But individuals who want to know whether they are included, that can be informed. Yes, individual apprehension must be addressed but it cannot be made a document for discussion on the streets," the bench observed.
The top court also said it will have to examine to what extent the technical panel report can be shared with individuals.
During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted that there is a US district court judgment. "WhatsApp itself has disclosed here. Not a third party. WhatsApp has said about the hacking," Sibal said.
The apex court said it will hear the matter on July 30.
An international media consortium had reported that over 300 verified Indian cellphone numbers were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using the Pegasus spyware.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RIL, 5 others seek to register 'Operation Sindoor' trademark
New Delhi (PTI): Reliance Industries Limited and five others have approached the Controller General of Patents Design and Trade Marks for the registration of term "Operation Sindoor".
In retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke.
The military strikes were carried out under "Operation Sindoor" two weeks after the massacre of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
RIL was first to file the trademark application for the term under trademark Class 41 which covers services like education and entertainment.
According to the details available on the website of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, RIL and five others have so far moved applications seeking trademark registration.
Besides RIL, other applicants -- Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, Group Captain (retired) Kamal Singh Oberh, Alok Kothari, Jayaraj T and Uttam -- have also sought registering the term.
