Government in favour of probe into leaked Radia tapes

The government today told the Supreme Court that the issues raised by Tata Group chief Ratan Tata in his petition in the context of the Nira Radia tapes needs to be investigated.

The affidavit filed by the government has maintained that it was an issue that required investigation, according to sources.

The government is also said to have taken the position that the publication of Tata's conversation with Radia was an issue between the media and the petitioner.

In its affidavit the government has stated that it was taking steps to ensure that the transcripts were not leaked further.

Tata had petitioned the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the leaked audio tapes of his telephonic conversation with Radia following which the apex court issued notices on 2 December to the union home secretary, the union finance ministry, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the income tax department.

Notices were also issued to Outlook and Open magazines, which had published parts of transcripts of the taped conversation.

All respondents were asked to file their replies within 10 days and had posted the case for hearing on 13 December.
The Tata Group chief is seeking a direction to the government to probe the leakage of the tapes that contain his private conversation with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia, and stop their further publication.

Seeking action against those involved in the leakage, Tata contends that the leakage amounts to an infringement of his fundamental Right to Life, which includes Right to Privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.