"Proves how 300 WhatsApp numbers of Indians were targeted": Randeep Surjewala after U.S. court verdict on Pegasus

U.S. court ruling holds NSO Group accountable for Pegasus spyware, sparking criticism from Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.

A recent U.S. court ruling holding Israel's NSO Group accountable for its spyware, Pegasus, has sparked sharp criticism from Congress leader Randeep Surjewala who highlighted that the court's verdict reinforces allegations that 300 WhatsApp numbers in India were targeted.

A U.S. judge ruled in favour of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp in a lawsuit accusing Israel's NSO Group of exploiting a vulnerability in the messaging app to install spyware for unauthorised surveillance.

In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Surjewala said, "The Pegasus Spyware case verdict proves how 300 WhatsApp numbers of Indians were targeted in the illegal spyware racket."

He further posed a series of questions to the Centre, asking "Who are the 300 names targeted! Who are the two Union Ministers? Who are the three Opposition leaders? Who is the Constitutional Authority? Who are the journalists? Who are the business persons?" "What information was retrieved by the BJP government and agencies? How was it used - misused and to what consequence? Will appropriate criminal cases be now lodged against political executive/officers in the present government and company owning NSO?" the Congress leader asked.

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Mr. Surjewala further asked that will “Supreme Court take note of the judgement of U.S. Court in Meta V/S NSO?”

“Will the Supreme Court proceed to make public the report of Committee of Technical Experts on Pegasus Spyware, submitted to it in 2021-22? Will the Supreme Court now conduct further inquiry in view of the judgement affirming targeting of 1,400 Whatsapp numbers, including 300 from India? Will the Supreme Court now ask Meta to submit to itself the 300 names to meet the ends of justice in Pegasus case?” he asked.