2G scam: Supreme Court orders CBI probe into Radia tapes

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) to probe into certain issues relating to the tapped telephonic conversations between Niira Radia, politicians and others, which prima facie revealed "deep-rooted malice" and widespread use of corrupt practices for private gains.

"Prima facie, there is a deep rooted malice by private enterprises in connivance with the government officials and Niira Radia's conversations suggest that influential persons indulged in corrupt practices for private gains for extraneous purpose," a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi said.

The order is based on the analysis of the telephonic conversations of Radia by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court.

The apex court has also taken note of the submission made by the CBI, which had pointed to an element of criminality in the dealings between Radia and the other parties.

The bench has also taken into consideration the wider ramifications of the dealings among Radia, business tycoons, politicians, bureaucrats and media persons that encompassed not just the 2G spectrum allocation issue but other spheres as well.

The scrutiny of call details had also reflected issues concerning national security as well.

The bench did not elaborate on the issues the CBI has been asked to investigate, but referred to the issue of Chief Justice of India passing an appropriate order and another issue regarding chief vigilance officer of the mines department.

The court directed the committee to scrutinise entire transcript of the taped conversations and also allowed an expansion of special team analysing the transcripts by including 10 more income tax sub-inspectors.

The bench directed the CBI to complete the probe within two months and asked it to report directly to the Supreme Court.

It will issue further directions in the matter on 16 December.

The telephonic conversations were recorded following a complaint to the finance minister on 16 November 2007 alleging that Niira Radia's corporate and political nexus through the so-called public relations activity had helped her build a business empire worth more than Rs300 crore.

The government had recorded a total of 180 days of Radia's conversations – for 60 days beginning 20 August 2008 and another 60 days from 19 October and, later, for another 60 days from 11 May 2009.