Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on Radia tapes

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Central Government on a plea for disclosure of the entire contents of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia’s conversation with politicians, journalists and corporate tycoons, which were tapped by the government authorities.

An apex court bench of Justices G S Singhvi and S S Nijjar issued notice to the Centre in this regard and adjourned the matter for further hearing on February 2.

The court orders came on a petition filed by civil society, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, seeking disclosure of the entire 5,800 conversations Radia had with different people, including ministers, journalists and corporate honchos, saying that it was in public interest to disclose the contents as it might reveal corruption in different government departments.

Earlier, the government had taped Radia’s telephonic conversation on a complaint to the Finance Ministry that she had been allegedly indulging in anti-national activities.

The petitioner also pleaded that disclosure of the contents of Radia tapes would be in immense public interest as it might expose the vicious cycle of corruption involving its various stakeholders, including politicians, bureaucrats, corporate and business houses and even scribes.

The petitioner asserted that bringing Radia tapes to the public domain might expose corruption in high places. (ANI)