Pegasus snooping row: SC stays West Bengal’s Lokur panel probe

The Supreme Court has stayed the ongoing inquiry by a West Bengal government appointed commission into the Pegasus snooping allegations. The panel is headed by former top court judge MB Lokur

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana expressed dissatisfaction over the West Bengal commission conducting a parallel inquiry.

On October 27, it had ordered the setting up of a three-member panel of cyber experts to probe the alleged use of Israeli spyware Pegasus for the surveillance of certain people under the monitoring of former apex court judge R V Raveendran.

Also watch: SC orders expert panel probe into the Pegasus snooping row

The bench also took note of the plea that the Lokur commission had commenced work despite the assurance of the West Bengal government it would not proceed with the inquiry.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the state government, said it had earlier conveyed the message of restraint to the Lokur panel but it does not control the commission.