MODI's 2017 Israel Visit: INDIA BOUGHT PEGASUS UNDER 13,000 CRORE DEFENCE DEAL

During Modi's visit to Israel, the software was purchased, according to the Times, and a 13,000 crore rupee contract was made.

The New York Times published the inquiry report on the Pegasus. According to the Times, India recently purchased the Israeli Pegasus surveillance software. This occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2017 visit to Israel, according to reports. The Times revealed that the software was acquired as part of a Rs.13,000 crore military contract. The report also confirms that the Netherlands and Hungary have also purchased Pegasus spy software.

In 2019, the WhatsApp group filed a lawsuit against the Israeli spyware firm NSO Group for allegedly hacking into the software. The Facebook-owned company has confirmed that the phones of several Indian celebrities and journalists were found to have been hacked by Pegasus software developed by the NSO Group.

The central government had refrained from responding to the purchase of Pegasus. In August 2021, the Ministry of Defence stated in a statement that it had no business dealings with the NSO Group. This argument is now rejected in the New York Times investigative report. It is sure to spark major political controversy in the coming days.

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court-appointed expert group sought information from those affected by the Pegasus phone theft. An expert panel led by Justice RV Raveendran issued a public notice in this respect, requesting that information be emailed to inqiry@pegasus-india-investigation.in.

It is required that all relevant information be submitted, including how the individuals confirmed that their phones were affected by the Pegasus. After reviewing the information, the committee may request phones that are subject to the issue, if any exist. The expert panel had previously requested evidence on phone leaks from petitioners before the Supreme Court, and they were ordered to submit the leaked phones.