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Beating around the bush: Supreme Court on Centre’s denial on detailed affidavit in Pegasus row

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Supreme-Court

 After the Centre’s denial to file a detailed affidavit clarifying whether Pegasus spyware was used or not, the Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on a batch of petitions seeking independent probe into the alleged Pegasus snooping case.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli said the court will pass an interim order in the next few days and told the Centre that beating around the bush would not take the issue anywhere.

“Beating around the bush…we will pass some interim order,” the chief justice told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre.

The Centre informed the bench that it is not going to file a detailed affidavit, after taking time twice to take a decision, whether it will file an affidavit or not on a batch of petitions seeking inquiry into alleged use of spyware Pegasus.

Mehta submitted that government can constitute technical committee of independent domain experts, who can examine the petitioners’ allegations that their phones were affected by Pegasus. Centre said this committee can submit its report to the top court.

The top court pointed at the response of former Minister for Electronics and Information Technology in Parliament in 2019. However, Mehta highlighted a recent statement made by Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology of India on the floor of the Parliament clarifying the government’s stand.

A battery of senior advocates — Kapil Sibal, Rakesh Dwivedi, Dinesh Dwivedi, Shyam Divan and Meenakshi Arora –representing various petitioners objected to the Centre’s stand on the matter.

Sibal, representing veteran journalist N. Ram, said the government should clarify whether it used Pegasus or not? Sibal added that it is unbelievable that the government said it would not tell the court about the use of spyware.

“We thought government will file a counter affidavit. We are considering some interim order or some other order, we have to pass,” the bench noted during the hearing.

Divan contended that a detailed affidavit should be filed at the level of cabinet secretary. He further added that the government should be concerned if an external agency used the spyware and if it were a government agency, then it was absolutely unconstitutional.

Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi questioned the credibility of the expert panel formed by the government to examine the issue.

Mehta submitted, “Nobody is denying or disputing. There are sensitive issues involved. We must get to the core issue. Let the expert panel go into it.”

The Chief Justice clarified that the court is also not keen on government disclosing any information which compromises the national security. The bench noted that if government were to file an affidavit, then it would have known “where do we stand on the subject”.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves said a retired or sitting judge of the Supreme Court should head the probe, and the government, which is a wrongdoer, cannot be relied upon with the investigation.

Maharashtra

Demand for action against Mankhurd, Shivaji Nagar, Kurla Scrap and SMS Company. Assurance of action by the Environment Minister in the House on the demand of Abu Asim Azmi

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abu aasim aazmi

Mumbai: Abu Asim Azmi demanded strict action against environmental pollution and illegal soap making in Kurla scrap factory in Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Due to air pollution, public life has become unbearable. He told the House that due to pollution from legal Kurla scrap factories and SMS company in Mankhurd Shivani Nagar, the average life expectancy of the residents here has come down to just 39 years. Residents are forced to live amidst dirty, smelly water, air pollution and diseases. Despite this issue being raised in every meeting, the government has not taken any meaningful steps to resolve this issue and no action has been taken. Azmi drew the attention of the minister to this and demanded action as soon as possible, on which during the meeting, Environment Minister Pankaja Munde assured positive action on this serious issue and announced to call a meeting in this regard on Friday. She said that if any illegal activity or factory is going on, action will be taken against it. The local assembly member has also been invited to this meeting.

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Maharashtra

SP MLA Abu Azmi Moves Bombay High Court to Quash FIRs Over Controversial Remarks Labeling India as ‘A Golden Sparrow’ Due to Aurangzeb

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Mumbai, June 30, 2025 — The controversy surrounding remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi continues to unfold as he has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash multiple FIRs registered against him. The filings stem from comments in which Azmi referred to India as ‘a golden sparrow’—a phrase he linked to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb—drawing widespread attention and sparking debates over the nature of these remarks.

Azmi’s petition argues that his statements have been misinterpreted and taken out of context, claiming they are part of a historical narrative rather than a political statement. He contends that criminal proceedings against him are unjustified and that his freedom of speech should be protected under constitutional rights.

The FIRs, registered across various districts, allege that Azmi’s comments could incite communal tensions and offend sentiments linked to national identity. Critics have accused Azmi of making divisive remarks, while supporters argue that his statements are historical references meant to shed light on past rulers and avoid misrepresentations.

Legal experts suggest that the case revolves around balancing free speech against the potential to incite discord. The court’s decision on whether to dismiss the FIRs could have broader implications for political discourse and expression of historical perspectives in India.

As the matter remains under judicial review, it continues to fuel discussions across political circles and social media, highlighting the sensitive nature of historical narratives and freedom of expression in contemporary India.

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Maharashtra

Muslims have not benefited from the ownership of waqf, try to inform Muslims about the Shariah status of waqf property: Mufti Manzoor Ziai

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Mumbai: After the implementation of the Waqf law, Mufti Manzoor Zia’s book Waqf Sharia, Politics and Reforms in the Indian Context was launched at the Mumbai Press Club, in which Mufti Manzoor Zia openly admitted about the book and said that this book focuses on the Sharia status of Waqf and other issues in the context of Waqf law. This book has a very detailed discussion about Waqf in the context of Islamic teachings. Mufti Manzoor said that there has been a long series of protests against the Waqf law, but till now there has been large-scale division and misuse of Waqf properties.

Protesting against this act is a democratic right, but it cannot be done regardless of what has happened to the ownership of Waqf so far and who is occupying its property. Eliminating encroachment from the ownership of Waqf is also the need of the hour. This Waqf is done in the way of God, but the common Muslims have not benefited from the ownership of this Waqf. Big protests and processions are being held, but why no hospitals, educational institutions and medical institutions have been built on the endowment property? He said that even the talented people of the nation are not able to get educational scholarships. The condition of the Imams is pathetic.

The 12-year-old child of an Imam is struggling between life and death in a government hospital. That Imam cannot provide him medical aid because he has no resources. He said that the works that have been brought to light in the context of the Endowment Act are an attempt to highlight the status of the endowment as much as possible. When Mufti Manzoor Zia was asked what was the purpose of bringing this work to light only after the implementation of the Endowment Act, he said that the process of preparing the work related to the ownership of the endowment and its Sharia requirements was already underway.

It is a coincidence that it was released after the Endowment Act. He said that the Waqf property is reserved for Muslims but it is useless because petty thefts to corruption are common in it. He was asked whether the implementation of the Waqf Act will benefit Muslims now. He said that the matter related to the Waqf Act is under hearing in the Supreme Court, so it is too early to say anything on this right now. Congress leader Nizamuddin Rain, Anjuman Bashingan Bihar Mahmoodul Hasan Hakimi, scholars, elders of the city and dignitaries attended the function.

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