Radia Tapes - Supreme Court orders more probe

By Vijay Kumar

THE DG (Investigation) of Income Tax had in 2008-09 tapped the telephone of Nira Radia, which revealed shocking information. In 2010, the Supreme Court directed the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Authorities to investigate. In November 2010, excerpts from Radia's conversations with politicians, corporates, lobbyists, bureaucrats and journalists got published in some news magazines. Ratan Tata whose name figured in some of these publications filed a writ in the Supreme Court to stop publication of the recordings. The Centre for Public Interest Litigation filed a Writ Petition to release all the 588 recorded conversations.

The Supreme Court constituted a team comprising the officers of Indian Revenue Service and CBI for scrutinizing the transcripts of the tapes and to submit a report to the Court. Two reports were submitted to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court observed, "The subjects mentioned in the eight issues are prima facie indicative of deep rooted malaise in the system of which advantage has been taken by private enterprises in collaboration/connivance with the Government officers and others. The conversations between Ms.NiraRadia and her associates with various persons suggests that unscrupulous elements have used corrupt means to secure favours from the Government officers, who appear to have acted for extraneous considerations.

The Supreme Court has ordered further investigation on the reports. One issue is regarding corruption/malpractice in Judiciary/Judges/Tribunals etc, which is to be referred to the Chief Justice of India for consideration and appropriate action.

Some of the issues in the suspected calls are:

Click Here for the Supreme Court Order