SDPI Demands Robust Investigation in Pegasus Spyware Case

The Social Democratic Party of India expresses deep concern over the Supreme Court’s observations during the resumed hearing of the Pegasus spyware case on April 29, 2025, which fall short of addressing the grave threat to India’s democratic freedoms. While Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh noted that misuse of spyware against civil society is concerning, the court’s acceptance of spyware possession for national security without demanding transparency, and its refusal to release the Justice Raveendran Committee’s report, citing security concerns, raise serious doubts. Forensic evidence from the 2021 Pegasus Project and Amnesty International (2023) confirms that journalists and political leaders opposing the BJP and its government were targeted. These individuals are not anti-nationals but vital voices of dissent in a democracy. The SDPI urges the Supreme Court to deepen its ongoing proceedings to ensure accountability and uphold constitutional protections.

The government’s persistent refusal to clarify its use of Pegasus, coupled with its non-cooperation with the Raveendran Committee, which found malware in five of 29 devices in 2022, fuels fears that surveillance is being used to silence critics of the ruling party. The court’s suggestion that individuals seek redress is impractical, given Pegasus’s zero-click exploits (Citizen Lab, 2023), which evade detection without specialized tools. This approach overlooks the systemic threat to press freedom and political expression, as evidenced by global cases of Pegasus misuse in Poland and Hungary (PEGA Committee, 2022–2023). The 2017 Puttaswamy judgment establishes privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, yet the court’s deference to national security risks undermining this principle. The SDPI calls for a rigorous judicial probe to protect dissent and ensure surveillance complies with legality and proportionality.

We respectfully urge the Supreme Court to release a redacted version of the Raveendran Committee’s report and intensify its investigation to address the targeting of journalists and opposition leaders challenging the BJP government. The court’s 2021 commitment to safeguarding free speech and privacy must translate into decisive action to counter surveillance abuses. The 2024 US District Court ruling against NSO Group highlights global concerns over Pegasus’s misuse, reinforcing the need for transparency in India.

Mohammad Shafi
National Vice President
Social Democratic Party of India