Tata seeks copy of Radia tape probe report

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata today faced some questions in the Supreme Court on his petition seeking a direction to the Centre for disclosure of the inquiry report into the leakage of controversial tapes containing conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with him and others.

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata on Wednesday faced some questions in the Supreme Court on his petition seeking a direction to the Centre for disclosure of the inquiry report into the leakage of controversial tapes containing conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with him and others.

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A bench of justices GS Singhvi and SJ Mukhopadhaya asked on how he can seek a copy of the report as the petition filed by him had only sought an inquiry into the leakage of the tape which has been done by the Centre.

"You are enlarging your prayer by filing application seeking contents of the probe report," the bench said adding that "government is itself making an inquiry and the report will be placed before us."

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tata, however, submitted that it was necessary to see the findings of the report as his entire argumets will be based on it.

"My entire arguments will be on the basis of the report. It is clear that there is leakage of conversation tapped by the governemnt but it is not clear which agency or officials are responsible for it. It is necessary to know how it was done to prevent such leakage in future," Rohatgi said.

"I am entitled to know how it was leaked. I am not interested in claiming damages. I want to ensure that such lackadaisical approach should not be taken by the government in future," he said.

The bench, however, observed that the government has already taken action and if there is a breach of law then it will seek a response from the government.

The argumets remained inconclusive and will resume on Thursday.

Tata had moved the apex court on November 29, 2010, seeking action against those involved in the leakage of the tapes alleging the leakage amounts to infringement of his fundamental right to life, which includes right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.