Aanchal Agarwal-
Published on August 25, 2021, at 17:48 IST
The Supreme Court remarked that it expected the West Bengal Government to refrain and wait before moving on with the Judicial Enquiry requested by it into the Pegasus issue, when the Court is considering the matter.
However, the Court abstained from passing any order to stop or withhold the functioning of the Judicial Commission formed by the Bengal Government, after Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi made a verbal assurance that he will deliver the message of the Court to the State Government.
The Bench comprising of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice Surya Kant tagged the Petition challenging the Government’s notification along with all other petitions relating to the Pegasus issue. They are expected to be posted next week.
The Division Bench was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO named Global Village Foundation. The PIL opposed the notification provided by the Bengal Government initiating an enquiry committee headed by the former SC Judge Justice Madan B Lokur to look into allegations pertaining to the scandal of Pegasus.
Senior Advocate Harish Salve, presenting himself for the Petitioner argued before the court that there cannot be “parallel inquiry” when the Supreme Court is already looking into the matter.
He also stated that notification against which the PIL has been filed was beyond the capacity of the Government as matters relating to Information Technology Act fell within the ambit of the Central Government.
Mr Salve further submitted that “Please see nothing is done in the proceedings there while the court is hearing the matter. They have issued notices to the public seeking information.”
When Senior Advocate AM Singhvi opposed Harish Salve’s statements, the CJI told him, “When we are hearing other matters, we expect some restraint. The present issue is connected to other issues. It will have a bearing on it. In all fairness, we expect you to wait.”
When Mr. Sighnvi on behalf of the Respondent requested the Bench not to pass any order, the Chief Justice stated that a hearing will take place next week and before that no enquiry should be undertaken. So Mr. Sighnvi agreed on forwarding the message to the State Government on behalf of the Court.
Lastly, the Bench passed a simple Order of issuing notice in the Petition and tagging it along with the other Pegasus matters.
Also Read: Pegasus Row: SC issues Notice to Centre, WB on plea against a probe by State